Denver Criminal Defense Attorney for Disorderly Conduct Charges
Disorderly conduct happens all the time, and many of us are guilty of engaging in it, but that doesn’t mean it’s legal. Whether you’re in a hurry and flip someone off because they cut you off in traffic or get into a fight at a bar over the college football game score, you’re guilty of committing disorderly conduct.
Disorderly conduct is one of the lesser offenses that you can face charges on, often either a petty offense or a misdemeanor. Even though this charge can result in criminal records showing up on your background check, the fact that it doesn’t often carry a hefty punishment doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t hire a Denver criminal defense attorney.
The Colorado disorderly conduct lawyers at WeedenLaw understand that even though these charges are considered misdemeanors, they still warrant a strong defense. Attorney Jeff Weeden will work towards getting your disorderly conduct charges reduced, dropped, or dismissed.
To schedule a free consultation with an experienced disorderly conduct lawyer, contact WeedenLaw by calling (720) 307-4330 today.
What is Disorderly Conduct?
In Colorado, any behavior that can cause others alarm, annoyance, or anger constitutes disorderly conduct. A person commits disorderly conduct when drunk in public or inciting an immediate breach of peace. Disorderly conduct is often referred to as a breach of the peace since the activities often disrupt others.
Disorderly conduct covers a wide variety of behaviors and actions, so a person can commit this petty offense without even realizing they’ve done so. Even though a disorderly conduct charge doesn’t carry very harsh penalties, it’s still important to obtain legal representation whenever you’re facing criminal charges of any kind.
C.R.S. 18-9-106
Colorado outlines their disorderly conduct laws in Colorado Revised Statute 18-9-106. According to the statute, a person can be charged with a disorderly conduct offense if they knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly commit any of the following:
- A coarse and obviously offensive utterance, gesture, or display in public that is an immediate breach of the peace
- An unreasonable noise near a private residence or public place
- Engaging in a fight with another person in public that is not considered an amateur or professional contest
- Discharging a firearm without being a peace officer in public unless engaged in lawful target practice, hunting, or the ritual discharge of blanks during a funeral for a U.S. armed forces veteran
- Displaying a simulated or real firearm in public without being a peace officer in a manner calculated to cause the other person to become afraid of being harmed or killed
Disorderly Conduct Examples
A person may be charged with disorderly conduct if they commit one of the following offenses:
- Make excessive noise
- Fire a gun or other firearm in public.
- Shows off a knife, gun, or any item that can be considered a deadly weapon in an attempt to cause distress
- Getting into a fight at a bar, restaurant, or other public place
The behaviors and actions that can result in a disorderly conduct charge may seem frivolous. However, if you’re convicted of the offense, you’ll have a mark on your criminal record that can follow you forever. Discuss your charges with a Colorado disorderly conduct lawyer today.
Is Flipping Someone Off Disorderly Conduct?
Unfortunately, flipping someone off while driving can be considered disorderly conduct. Even though it may appear that everyone is flipping each other off while behind the wheel, it doesn’t mean it’s okay. If a police officer witnesses you giving another driver the bird, they can pull you over and charge you with disorderly conduct. You may think flipping someone off while driving is innocent, but Denver laws disagree.
What are the Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in Colorado?
Disorderly conduct is typically considered a petty offense and punishable by six months in jail and a fine of up to $500. A person can be charged with a petty offense if they’ve made unreasonable noise near a private residence or made an obviously offensive utterance or gesture. A person accused of disorderly conduct will typically have their case heard in the municipal or city court, which handles petty offenses and misdemeanors.
However, the penalties for disorderly conduct offenses can vary depending on the type of offense and criminal history. If the disorderly conduct offense is considered a Class 3 misdemeanor, the person could face up to $50 in fines and/or six months in jail. Fighting in public, for example, is a Class 3 misdemeanor.
If the disorderly conduct charge involves the discharge of a firearm unlawfully or the use of a deadly weapon in public, a person could be charged with a Class 2 misdemeanor which can result in up to one year in prison and fines of up to $1,000.
Similar Offenses
There are three offenses that are often charged in conjunction with disorderly conduct in Colorado. Those offenses include:
- Menacing (C.R.S. 19-3-206): The use of threats to scare others into thinking they are in immediate danger of being injured or killed.
- Harassment (C.R.S.-18-9-111): Intentionally bothering another person by repeatedly taunting, contacting, or following them in public places.
- Trespass: Unlawfully entering and remaining on another’s property.
Even though the penalties for disorderly conduct are not extreme, you still need a Colorado disorderly conduct lawyer representing you. When you choose Jeff Weeden from WeedenLaw as your attorney, you can rest assured that he will do everything possible to lower your charges, dismiss them, or have them dropped.
Do I Need an Attorney for Disorderly Conduct Charges?
Since the offenses that can be considered disorderly conduct are so broad, any behavior that disturbs the peace can qualify. When you face disorderly conduct charges, you need an experienced Denver criminal attorney representing you. Attorney Jeff Weeden has helped countless clients with their criminal charges and disorderly conduct cases.
At WeedenLaw, your criminal defense attorney may use any of the following defense strategies (or others not listed) when arguing the prosecution’s case:
- The act was committed in lawful self-defense.
- The arresting officer overreacted and arrested you on false grounds.
- You were exercising your First Amendment rights.
- You were the victim of mistaken identity, and the police arrested the wrong person.
Call a Denver Criminal Defense Attorney at WeedenLaw for Help With Your Disorderly Conduct Charges
Disorderly conduct offenses may carry fines and jail time, but that can all be avoided with an experienced criminal defense attorney. When you choose Jeff Weeden at WeedenLaw to represent you against these charges, you know he will do whatever it takes to defend you.
Just because the offense is a petty offense or a misdemeanor doesn’t mean you don’t need the best legal representation in Colorado. If you’ve been charged with disorderly conduct, schedule a free consultation with one of Denver’s top criminal defense attorneys by calling (702) 307-4330 or completing our online contact form today.
