Should someone be less accountable for their actions, if they were intoxicated, when doing them? (Details)

There is a saying where I come from that goes something like “no drunk eats shit”...

It depends, if someone knows that when they get fucked up that they’ll do fucked up shit then yes. If it’s an isolated one-of incident then possibly not.

No, intoxication does not absolve anyone of their actions. If it did, drunk drivers would not be responsible.

No – it really doesn’t. You chose to get drunk.

No, The opposite. Drunk people should be absolutely held responsible. Perhaps with enhanced penalties in a legal situation.

It does in Japan.

And yes, I think it should mitigate them to some extent. Many people will do things while drunk that they would never do while sober. And it’s not always clear or intentional that one is getting drunk.

Putting yourself in a state where you’re out of control and no one is going to stop you from doing things, however, is usually at some point a matter of sober choice.

So it’s tricky to sort out where exactly to place responsibility and what to do about it. It’s too bad our culture encourages reckless intoxication as much as it does.

I firmly believe that alcohol doesn’t change who you are, it only brings out what’s already there. It doesn’t make you insane or turn you into a different person. It may bring out a side of you that you would normally conceal, but it alone isn’t responsible for your actions when you are under its influence. Alcohol can be considered as a factor when determining whether someone behaved “appropriately” (I’m assuming that, given recent news, we’re possibly hinting at someone harassing or assaulting someone while drunk and how much responsibility they should take for doing so), but it shouldn’t completely eclipse the person’s own choices and agency.

I’ve been drunk—quite drunk, in fact. I have blacked out before too. But even at my drunkest, I knew that I would never do certain things that crossed a certain personal line. Yes, I was less inhibited, I was more talkative and outgoing than I ever would have been sober, but I was still me.

^Yes. I brought this up, because of current events.
I wager that a large amount of these gropers/molesters/rapists, are under the influence of one,or multiple types of drugs. Probably their victims, as well…

I am not really asking about violent crimes, or drunk driving. I don’t really have an agenda here either. I guess I was thinking about Franken’s case. With the drug culture permeating the SNL cast so deeply, was Franken on something when he committed the acts he is accused of, and does it matter? Or is it an excuse?

What about others? Does the level of intoxication matter? The drug?

No, because the person is responsible for becoming intoxicated, knowing that judgment may be impaired.

No. Excessive drinking is an option and conscious choice. If a person becomes intoxicated and behaves badly, the individual is responsible for his/her criminal and tortious actions.

This is the reason why judges in DUI/DWI cases don’t decide, “Aw, he was drunk and can’t be held accountable. I’ll just send him home with no consequences.”

I totally agree with alcohol, but is it the same for a legally prescribed drug?
Is the person responsible if that drug makes them do something stupid, after all they were just following doctors orders?

Like ambien taken with other drugs like benadryl. I have heard people can just go nuts with such a combination. If some one has an allergy and trouble sleeping I can see it happening. I don’t think they should be held accountable in such situations if it can be proven to be legit drug side effects.

No. If they could get away with it they could commit all manner of crime then plead drunkenness.

Not in my book.

It depends.. Say you drive drunk and smash up a stroller. Fuck you.. Sit in prison for 30 years. You clearly can’t be trusted.

Best friend hitting on my girlfriend. Dickish but I get it. I will be mad for a bit and get over it. I have done it too.

@SQUEEKY2 Tiger Woods was on prescribed medications when he had his last little run in. He was held responsible (and he accepted it) because the meds carried warnings.

Both Ambien and Benadryl carry warnings, even by themselves, and drugs are not to be taken in combination.

No. Not unless, maybe, that you could prove that someone forced you to drink.

Was there a baby in the stroller that got smashed up @johnpowell?

^I thought that was the point.

^^^ You’re right.