Can a police officer who comes into a private home arrest me for drinking?
First, an officer cannot enter a private home unless the officer has a search warrant or consent is given by the owner or occupant or there are particular circumstances where a crime is being committed. If you are drinking in the private home, you are not on public property. If you happen to wander outside and onto the sidewalk with a beer in your hand or are intoxicated to the point where you are risking your health or are not capable of taking care of yourself, then you can be subject to arrest. Also, an adult can be charged with certain offenses if alcohol consumption by minors is allowed on the property and a minor who had consumed alcohol there leaves and causes an accident.