Judge rejects "beer need" as a defense - Brief Article

Modern Brewery Age, July 9, 2001

A Washington state homeless man pleaded guilty to second-degree burglaiy after his "beer-need" defense failed to convince a Snohomish County judge he was justified in breaking in to a convenience store to slake his thirst. The man had argued that he was literally dying for a beer, since he thought he was having a heart attack and and needed beer. A defense of necessity is sometimes allowed in criminal cases where circumstances may sometimes justify otherwise criminal conduct.

But the judge ruled that the plaintif's "beer-need" defense failed to qualify as a defense of necessity. The judge suggested that the man seek help for his drinking problem.