# 18 Pa.C.S. § 5505: Public drunkenness and similar misconduct

> Pennsylvania · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5505

## Section

- **Citation:** 18 Pa.C.S. § 5505
- **Heading:** Public drunkenness and similar misconduct
- **Jurisdiction:** Pennsylvania
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** PA Code / Title 18 / Chapter 55 / Section 5505

## Text

A person is guilty of a summary offense if he appears in any public place manifestly under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance, as defined in the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L.233, No.64), known as The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, except those taken pursuant to the lawful order of a practitioner, as defined in The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act, to the degree that he may endanger himself or other persons or property, or annoy persons in his vicinity. A person convicted of violating this section may be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $500 for the first violation and not more than $1,000 for the second and each subsequent violation. (June 18, 1999, P.L.67, No.8, eff. 60 days; Oct. 25, 2012, P.L.1663, No.205, eff. 60 days) 2012 Amendment. Section 2 of Act 205 provided that the amendment of section 5505 shall apply to offenses committed on or after the effective date of section 2. Cross References. Section 5505 is referred to in sections 3573, 8902 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure); section 6138 of Title 61 (Prisons and Parole).

## Nearby sections

- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5501 Riot.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5501.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5502 Failure of disorderly persons to disperse upon official order.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5502.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5503 Disorderly conduct.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5503.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5504 Harassment and stalking by communication or address (Repealed).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5504.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5505 Public drunkenness and similar misconduct.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5505.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5506 Loitering and prowling at night time.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5506.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5507 Obstructing highways and other public passages.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5507.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5508 Disrupting meetings and processions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5508.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5509 Desecration, theft or sale of venerated objects.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5509.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5510 Abuse of corpse.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5510.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5511 Cruelty to animals (Repealed).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5511.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5511.1 Live animals as prizes prohibited (Repealed).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5511.1.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5511.2 Police animals (Repealed).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5511.2.md)
- [18 Pa.C.S. § 5511.3 Assault with a biological agent on animal, fowl or honey bees (Repealed).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5511.3.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_PA_T18_C55_S5505. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.