LA public defender arrested at San Francisco airport for charges including public drunkenness

A Los Angeles public defender may want to enlist the services of one of her colleagues after she was charged with five misdemeanors earlier this week following an incident at San Francisco International Airport.

According to the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office, Monica Marie Jenkins’ charges include public drunkenness, resisting arrest and assault on an officer after she was allegedly so drunk at the airport that she couldn’t board a flight to Los Angeles.

After allegedly ignoring suggestions that she take a later flight, Jenkins demanded to be taken to jail and then began singing "1, 2, 3, 4, 5 O'Clock rock.” (It’s unclear if this was an homage to “Rock Around The Clock” by Bill Haley or a rendering on the theme from Happy Days.)

In addition to the musical number, Jenkins was also reportedly screaming obscenities and threatening to sue police officers. When she was eventually arrested, prosecutors allege that Jenkins tried to kick one officer and managed to boot another.

District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said that once Jenkins was in a patrol car, she thanked officers for saving her, asked about her expensive purse and then said, "I'm not worried anymore, give me some cocaine."

When she arrived at the jail, Jenkins reportedly tried to bite a nurse. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been released on her own recognizance.

[San Francisco Examiner] [San Jose Mercury News]