Disorderly Conduct
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Maybe someone pushed ahead of you at a food cart and you got into a loud argument. Or you and a Giants fan started a shouting match outside of a sports bar. It may have just been yelling, and it may not have done anything more than annoyed the people around you, but if you behave in an unruly way in public you might be charged with disorderly conduct even if you didn’t present a real threat to anyone.
Disorderly conduct charges cover many situations. The charges vary but can include jail time and fines. An experienced defense attorney may be able to lessen the punishment.
What You Need To Know About Disorderly Conduct
In Pennsylvania, you can face disorderly conduct charges if you engage in disorderly conduct with the intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or you recklessly create a risk.
Disorderly conduct covers:
- Fighting, threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior.
- Making unreasonable noise.
- Using obscene language or making an obscene gesture.
- Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by actions that don’t serve a legitimate purpose.
Disorderly conduct is a summary offense.
However, if you intended to cause substantial harm or inconvenience, or if you refused to stop your behavior after you were warned or asked to quit, you can face a misdemeanor of the third degree.
What Your Lawyer Can Do
Your attorney will carefully review every aspect of your case to determine if there is evidence for all you have been accused of.
- Your lawyer will make every effort to discredit any evidence not in your favor.
- Much of what your lawyer can do to help you will depend on the exact circumstances of your case.
- You might not have intended to cause harm or inconvenience. If so, your lawyer will gather the evidence or witnesses to prove it.
Your lawyer will be looking at every avenue that can help you, so it’s important that you give them all of the information that can support your case.
How A Lawyer Will Help
When you are up against a disorderly conduct charge, even before your first hearing you will be facing a determined prosecutor. You need an attorney who will stand by you every step of the way, work hard to discredit any evidence – and work with you to determine your best course of action.
Pennsylvania Disorderly Conduct Law
Disorderly conduct is described and defined under The Pennsylvania Criminal Code under Title 18, Chapter 55. Read the code here.
Questions? Contact us today.
Based on the evidence, Fienman Defense will try to show that the charges should be dismissed. If it’s in your best interest, we will work to negotiate a lesser sentence. Should the case go to trial, we will fight to present the strongest defense possible for your situation.