5 Criminal Charges You Can Face at a San Francisco Giants Game

Posted on May 7, 2016

When you go to a San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park, not all of the action may be on the field. A combination of sunshine, alcohol, and passion for the team can lead fans to engage in conduct that can get them arrested and charged with a criminal offense.

Here are five things you could do at a Giants game that could get you in hot water with the law:

• Public Intoxication. Beer is as much a part of a ball game for some fans as peanuts and Cracker Jack. But if you have had a few too many and are unable to exercise care for your safety or the safety of others, you could be charged with being drunk in public under California Penal Code Section 647(f).
• Disturbing the Peace. If you get too raucous at the game and start mouthing off to other fans, ushers, or vendors, you could be arrested for disturbing the peace. Under California Penal Code Section 415, it is a crime to:
  • unlawfully fight or challenge another person to fight in a public place,
  • maliciously disturb another person by loud and unreasonable noise, or
  • use offensive words likely to provoke a violent reaction in a public place.
• Assault and Battery. It is not unheard of for fights to break out in the stands. When a fan threatens to physically attack someone or actually does so, they can be charged with assault and battery, respectively. Even just spitting on someone can get you charged with battery under California law.
• Criminal Trespass. When you buy a ticket to a game at AT&T Park, the Giants and the ballpark are giving you permission to sit in your designated seat and move throughout most if not all of the stands. That permission does not extend to the field of play, however, and if you run on to the field or otherwise interfere with the game, you will be arrested and charged with criminal trespass under California Penal Code Section 602. The same charges could be brought if you have been ejected from the park and renter without permission.

Of course, any other conduct which could result in criminal charges outside of the park, such as underage drinking, drug possession, or lewd conduct, can get you arrested and charged with a crime inside the park as well.

If you’re facing criminal charges in San Francisco, whether related to your conduct at a Giants game or otherwise, please give one of our experienced San Francisco criminal defense lawyers a call 24/7 to arrange for your free consultation.

About the Author

Neil Shouse

A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, Court TV, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.