The “voluntary intoxication” defense in D.C.
According to recent opinion issued by the D.C. Court of Appeals, Darrell Jones v. United States, __ A.3d __ (D.C. 2025), the defense must prove “incapacitating intoxication” in order to negate the mens rea element of a criminal offense. ***** “Voluntary intoxication” is generally not a viable defense to a criminal charge in Washington, D.C. As Joshua Dressler puts it …