Drunk In Public Santa Barbara

My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
My 18 year old son was recently arrested for drunk in public in Isla Vista. He spent the night in jail. He was not given a breath or blood/urine test but told the officers he had been drinking. This is his first offense ever. My question is should he have an attorney represent him for his first appearance. He does not live near there and does not have his own transportation. If he has an attorney does he need to return to SB or can the attorney represent him? If he goes if alone the first time what can he expect?While I want him to learn from this I don't want this to haunt him his entire life.

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Quoting moss helping

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My 18 year old son was recently arrested for drunk in public in Isla Vista.

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That is a common occurrence there.

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He spent the night in jail. He was not given a breath or blood/urine test but told the officers he had been drinking. This is his first offense ever. My question is should he have an attorney represent him for his first appearance. He does not live near there and does not have his own transportation. If he has an attorney does he need to return to SB or can the attorney represent him? If he goes if alone the first time what can he expect?While I want him to learn from this I don't want this to haunt him his entire life.

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Many of these are disposed of with "time served" or with a fine. Whether SB County commonly does it that way is something I just cannot answer with certainty. If they do file on the charge, and he does have to appear, it might be a benefit to have an attorney as it IS technically a misdemeanor.

- Carl