What kind of consequences do I face for my first disorderly conduct charge?
Question Details:
I was arrested last night for disorderly conduct. I was in the parking lot of my apartment building, arguing loudly with my wife. I had my legally purchased handgun on my hip, in plain view. I was very intoxicated. The police pulled up with their guns drawn. I was going to set my gun down, but they told me to just put my hands up. I complied with everything they asked. I was not loud,insulting the officers or anything. I was processed, fingerprinted and brought back home. What will happen next? What is the likely outcome of all this?
You are going to have to appear in court on your scheduled court date. The fact that you do not have a record is great as the worst that will happen is that you get a fine, or the case will be suspended and dismissed if you are good for a certain period of time set by the court. If you can afford a lawyer, I suggest hiring one to make sure you get the best possible outcome to keep your record clean. I have post some additional info for you below. I suggest you hire a lawyer as you can likely walk away from this without having a criminal record.
Disorderly conduct is one of the most common offenses in the United States, and is often the result of unreasonable police officers giving someone a hard time until they lose their cool.
Disorderly conduct generally includes most kinds of unruly or disturbing behaviors, which acts to provoke a disturbance.
Disorderly conduct laws exist in every state, and are often used as a “catch-all” charge for minor offenses. It is important to note that disorderly conduct is a prosecutable offense, which can lead to fines, jail time, and other punishments upon conviction.
Examples of Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly conduct offenses vary widely by state. Here are some of the most common acts that are considered disorderly conduct offenses:
- Public drunkenness
- Inciting a riot
- disturbance of the peace
- loitering in certain areas
- fighting / physical altercations
- obstructing traffic
- use of extremely obscene or abusive language
- loud or unreasonable noise
Given the wide range of behaviors that could constitute disorderly conduct, a person may be arrested for this crime without proper cause. Virtually any socially offensive or disruptive conduct may be prosecuted as disorderly conduct.
Consequences of Disorderly Conduct
While disorderly conduct may seem like an insignificant charge at first, individuals with a disorderly conduct conviction on their record may have a difficult time pursuing educational, career, and other opportunities in the future. In addition, a disorderly conduct conviction may influence the outcome of any subsequent bout with the law.
Disorderly conduct charges might be dropped after an arrest or may be prosecuted as misdemeanors. In some more serious cases, disorderly conduct can be prosecuted as a felony, which may result in significant jail time.
A disorderly conduct conviction can bring significant punishment, including fines, community service, compulsory counseling, and jail time. A judge sentencing someone for disorderly conduct will often consider that person’s criminal history.
A first-time offender's disorderly conduct sentence is typically very light. This sentence may be even be suspended if certain conditions are met.
