Legal Definitions - inebriate

An "inebriate" is an archaic legal term used to describe an intoxicated person. More specifically, it often referred to someone who was a habitual drunkard.

The term inebriate refers to a person who is intoxicated, especially someone who is habitually drunk. This word is considered archaic in modern legal language, meaning it is old-fashioned and rarely used in contemporary legal documents or discussions.

• Example 1: Historical Legal Context

  Imagine a local ordinance from the late 1800s that established a public institution for individuals struggling with severe alcohol dependency. The legal statutes for this institution might have referred to its residents as "inebriates" who required care and rehabilitation. This illustrates the term's historical use to describe someone chronically affected by alcohol, often in the context of institutionalization or public welfare.

• Example 2: Estate Planning

  Consider an old will drafted in the early 20th century. A clause in the will might have stated that a particular inheritance would be held in trust for a beneficiary if they were legally declared an "inebriate," with funds disbursed only when they demonstrated sobriety. This demonstrates how the term was once used in legal instruments to describe a person whose severe intoxication might impact their legal rights or ability to manage assets.

• Example 3: Public Order Offenses (Historical vs. Modern)

  In a police report from the 1940s concerning an arrest for public intoxication, the officer might have described the individual as an "inebriate" found disturbing the peace. Today, a similar report would use more precise and less archaic language, such as "an individual appearing to be under the influence of alcohol" or "an intoxicated person," highlighting the shift in legal terminology and societal perception.