People v. Lewis CA4/1

BACKGROUND AND PROCEDURAL FACTS

In October 2018, Lewis was living in a tent in Aptos, California behind the astrology lab at Cabrillo College. On October 21, Lewis drank about half a gallon of gin. He had substantial issues with alcohol, and he drank more than usual. He took a bus from Aptos to Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz Police Officer Wesley Hansen noticed him when responding to a call about a different person. Lewis was staggering, moving at a slow pace, and using a building to

Further section references are to the Penal Code unless otherwise specified. 2 support himself. Lewis could not walk in a straight line, smelled of alcohol, and had been involved in a confrontation with someone else at a nearby business. Officer Hansen arrested Lewis just after 5:00 p.m. for public intoxication (§ 647, subd. (f)), which is a misdemeanor charge used when a person is too drunk to take care of himself or herself. Lewis was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail. Personnel first observed Lewis at 5:29 p.m., noting he was unsteady on his feet and had slurred speech. The facility offered him water. The County Jail released Lewis at 11:15 p.m. the same night, after the nurse cleared him.…