Well we definitely have two very different viewpoints on dealing with police or the quasi police. There’s a legal threshold for alcohol consumption while driving. I don’t think there’s a bottom limit to “drunk in public”. If you look intoxicated and are making a nuisance of yourself you will be arrested. As to a minor legally drinking I wouldn’t press your luck. If your minor drinks in your house and goes out drunk you will have a big problem. He will be arrested for being drunk in public and you will likely be arrested for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Sheesh.
@appzilla - with regard to your expectations of a damage award I think you are reacting too much to the sight of blood. At this point we don’t know what actually happened. If we find out that he was hit repeatedly with a night stick then it’s more likely there would be a successful court case. If the testimony shows that he was belligerent and refusing to submit to arrest and then was taken to the ground I would expect zero damages. Virginia is a conservative state even if the Charlottesville area is liberal. I’m not sure how many jurors would have to agree on a civil award.