Phoenix Disorderly Conduct
Sometimes, emotions get the best of us in certain situations that cause us to display inappropriate behavior in public. Unfortunately, such behaviors can lead to uncomfortable situations, and it can be a reason for you to be charged with disorderly conduct by the police.
Disorderly conduct is a crime that police can charge a person if they are uncertain what citation to give to anyone who “disrupts the peace.” However, if one is found guilty of committing such a crime, they can face serious penalties depending on the severity of the actions they have done. Penalties can even double if this isn’t the first time they have been charged with the crime.
Fortunately, there are legal avenues you can explore if you find yourself charged with disorderly conduct. The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC is here to help you with your Phoenix disorderly conduct case and provide legal advice to allow you to fight the charges in the best possible manner.
Our team will be with you from start to finish to prepare you for any outcome once the case is decided.
Call The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC at (480) 630-1143 for your Consultation with a Phoenix Disorderly Conduct lawyer.
Definition of Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly conduct is defined under Arizona’s statute as an act committed by an individual with the intention of disturbing the peace and quiet of a person, family, or neighborhood.
The individual must also be aware of their intent and commit one of the following:
- Engage in fights and display violent or disruptive behavior.
- Create unreasonable or intolerable noise constantly.
- Use offensive or abusive language or gestures towards any person in the vicinity, which will likely provoke them into physical retaliation.
- Uses protracted display, utterance, or commotion to prevent someone from completing a transaction during gatherings, meetings, or processions
- Ignores a lawful order to disperse, which law enforcers hand to maintain public safety during emergencies
- Recklessly displays or uses a deadly weapon.
Our Phoenix, AZ criminal law firm can provide exact examples of how this crime is committed and identify if the disorderly conduct charges against you are a misdemeanor or a felony. Our experience dealing with Phoenix’s disorderly conduct cases allows us to guide you through the charges and identify the best ways to resolve them.
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct
Most disorderly conduct cases are considered Class 1 misdemeanors, the highest type of misdemeanor in the statute. If one is found guilty of committing a Class 1 misdemeanor, it can come with up to six months of prison time, up to three years probation, and fines amounting to $2,500 with surcharges. The minimum penalty would be a conviction on the person’s record.
If the disorderly conduct involved the use of firearms and other deadly weapons, it would be classified as a Class 6 felony. If found guilty, the defendant will face prison time from 1 year and 6 months to 3 years. If you have a previous felony conviction, prison time can start from three to six years, depending on the charges. Further penalties will be added depending on the type of disorderly conduct offense committed.
The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC’s legal experts in Phoenix disorderly conduct cases will explain these penalties if you are charged with disorderly conduct. We will then create a legal case to counter it and fight for a lighter or dismissed sentence.
Talk to Our Legal Experts Today
Knowing if you have committed a disorderly conduct violation can be tricky, which is why it is important to partner with a criminal law firm that can guide you through the legal process smoothly. Let our experienced and talented criminal defense lawyers take a look, and our record in successfully assisting clients that faced various degrees of disorderly conduct charges will guarantee that you will get a personalized service to help you resolve your case.
Whether it is your first offense or a repeat one, we will fight for your desired outcome to the best of our ability. Check out our legal services by setting up a legal consultation with us at any time, and we will be more than happy to answer your questions.
Call The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC at (480) 630-1143 for your Consultation with a Phoenix Disorderly Conduct lawyer.