Experienced Defense Against Disorderly Conduct Charges
Many situations can result in charges of disorderly conduct, including a rowdy night with your friends, a practical joke or a fight with a loved one in a public location. My name is Anthony N. Palumbo, partner at The Law Offices of Anthony N. Palumbo and with over 35 years of criminal trial experience, I have successfully defended countless of people against charges of disorderly conduct.
Our firm represents clients throughout New Jersey including the counties of Union County, Middlesex County, Somerset County, Monmouth County, Essex County, Hudson County, Morris County, and Ocean County.
Contact me today for a free initial consultation at 908-272-9700, and let’s talk about your charge.
If you have been charged with disorderly conduct, you need an attorney that takes pride in his relationships with local prosecutors and judges. As a former prosecutor, I have developed solid relationships with the law enforcement community, and I know what is required in order to successfully defend your case.
What Is Disorderly Conduct?
This section sets out the elements required to be convicted of disorderly conduct. Charges of disorderly conduct can result from either improper behavior or offensive language. In order to be convicted, all elements must be present. An experienced defense attorney may be able to defend your case by showing that the prosecution has failed to prove all the elements required for a conviction.
A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if he acts:
- In a public place; and
- With the purpose to offend the feelings of a hearer; or
- In reckless disregard of the probability of so doing; and
- 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.
Public means affecting or likely to affect persons in a place to which the public or a substantial group has access. Examples of public places are highways, transport facilities, schools, prisons, apartment houses, places of business or amusement, or any neighborhood.
Penalties When Convicted
Disorderly conduct is a petty disorderly persons offense, and if convicted carries penalties of:
- A $500 fine
- Up to 30 days in prison
- Possible community service
- Possible probation
To view the entire New Jersey Statute on Disorderly Conduct see N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2.
The Importance Of Working With An Attorney
If you have been charged with disorderly conduct, you need an attorney. While these charges may seem minor, they can drastically affect your life, and can remain on your record permanently unless properly taken care of. Don’t assume minor charges will take care of themselves.
With over 35 years of experience defending charges of disorderly conduct, I will aggressively defend your case, and do everything possible to keep your record clean. Contact me today for a free initial consultation at 908-272-9700 and let a knowledgeable and experience attorney fight your disorderly conduct charge.