33-10-203 - Arrests for public intoxication. - Tennessee Statutes

33-10-203. Arrests for public intoxication.

(a)  All arrests and court proceedings for public intoxication or drunkenness in this state shall be under § 39-17-310, to the exclusion of any common law or statutory offense now being enforced.

(b)  No county, municipality or other political subdivision of this state shall adopt any local law, ordinance, resolution or regulation having the force of law rendering public intoxication or drunkenness in and of itself or being a common drunkard or being found in enumerated places in an intoxicated condition, an offense, a violation of the subject of criminal or civil penalties or sanctions of any kind.

(c)  Nothing contained in this section shall affect any laws, ordinances, resolutions or regulations against drunken driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or other similar offenses that involve the operation of motor vehicles, machinery or other hazardous equipment.

(d)  Any fines collected under § 39-17-310 shall be retained by the unit of local government over which the court has jurisdiction.

[Acts 1973, ch. 295, § 23; T.C.A., § 33-818; Acts 1993, ch. 234, § 5; T.C.A., § 33-8-203; Acts 1996, ch. 675, § 70;  2009, ch. 186, § 23; T.C.A., § 68-24-203.]