Ocean NJ Disorderly Conduct Lawyer
Probably one of the most common charges issued in Monmouth County, in towns like Belmar, Middletown, Holmdel, Ocean Township, Long Branch, Asbury Park, Manasquan, Howell and Lake Como is disorderly conduct. The offense is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2a. As you will see below, this charge is considered a petty disorderly persons offense, which is more commonly known as a misdemeanor. Although it seems minor in the grand scheme of things, the reality is that if convicted, a Defendant will be scarred with a criminal record. Typically, most disorderly conduct charges issued in Monmouth County stem from an alcohol driven incident, whether it be a verbal or a physical altercation. Furthermore, most disorderly conduct charges are usually in addition to other charges, including but not limited to trespassing, possession of a fake id, resisting arrest, underage possession of alcohol and simple assault. You can not take this type of charges lightly. If not handled properly, a Defendant could wind up with a criminal record, which in turn could make getting accepted into your dream college, obtaining or maintaining gainful employment or even maintaining certain professional licenses as well.
Do I Need a Lawyer for Disorderly Conduct Charge in Keyport?
Keith Oliver Criminal Law is an experienced Monmouth County criminal defense firm. Our attorneys represent clients charged with disorderly conduct in courts throughout Monmouth County. Over the years, have handled hundreds if not thousands of these types of charges. As such, we are well verses in defending this type of offenses. If you would like to come into our office to discuss your options then please contact us at 732-858-6959. We can go over the specifics of your case and formulate a game plan that will work best to suit your needs. Our office is located at 180 Kings Highway in Middletown, just down the road from the Middletown Municipal Court. As always, our initial consultations are free of costs. Now here is some key information on the offense of disorderly conduct, including exactly what the prosecution must be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.
What to Know about Disorderly Conduct Cases in NJ: N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2.
As stated above, the offense is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2. Here is what the Statute specifically states:
- Improper Behavior: A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he:
- Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or
- Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
- Offensive Language: A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense if, in a public place, and with purpose to offend the sensibilities of a hearer or in reckless disregard of the probability of so doing, he addresses unreasonably loud and offensively coarse or abusive language, given the circumstances of the person present and the setting of the utterance, to any person present.
How to Defend a Disorderly Conduct Offense in Monmouth County?
As you can tell from above, the disorderly conduct statute is extremely broad. In fact, that was the underlying intention of the legislature when they created this statute. However that is not necessarily a bad thing, when a statute is overly broad like this, it gives an experienced defense attorney plenty of angles to attack. Due to the broadness of the statute, this has become New Jersey’s catchall charge. In other words, this seems to be the offense that the police resort to for various different types of incidents, including but not limited to: public intoxication, minor physical altercations, verbal arguments and general improper behavior. Since this typically is the go to charge, it tends to be wrongfully charged. To speak to one of our Monmouth County disorderly conduct defense lawyers today please contact us at 732-858-6959.
What is the Sentence for Disorderly Conduct in NJ
If you have been arrested and charged with this offense you be facing what is known as a petty disorderly persons offense. A petty disorderly persons offense is New Jersey’s version of a misdemeanor. If convicted, a Defendant would be facing up to thirty (30) days in the Monmouth County Jail, a fine up to $500 and a criminal record as well. Pursuant to the new changes in the expungement law, for at least the next three years a Defendant convicted of this statute would be required to answer “yes” to the question of whether or not you have ever been convicted of a crime before. With that being said, often times an experienced Monmouth County criminal attorney can create enough loopholes in the case to convince the prosecution to at the very least amend the charges to a township ordinance. If that occurs, at the very least the Defendant can assure themselves that they will not been convicted of a criminal offense.
Need to Speak to a Red Bank Attorney About Disorderly Conduct Case
Throughout our careers, we have routinely defended clients charged with disorderly conduct in courts throughout Monmouth County including Howell, Atlantic Highlands, Sea Girt, Freehold, Tinton Falls, Ocean Township, West Long Branch and Sea Bright. If you have been arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, trespassing, stalking, harassment, shoplifting, simple assault or obstruction of justice, the criminal defense attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. To schedule a free initial consultation today, then please contact (732)858-6959. We are available 24/7 to help assist in any way possible. We fully understand that being charged with a criminal offense can be an extremely nerve wracking time. If you have any questions at all please do not hesitate to contact us. Do not let a simple mistake or misunderstanding jeopardize your future.