New Jersey Criminal Lawyer Discusses Disorderly Conduct Offenses in NJ
Individuals who disturb the peace and interfere with the enjoyment of others in public spaces in New Jersey may find themselves criminally charged with numerous disorderly conduct offenses. If you are convicted of a disorderly conduct offense in New Jersey, you will have a permanent criminal record. Pursuant to the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, disorderly conduct occurs when an individual engages in improper behavior with the purpose of causing public inconvenience, annoyance or harm.
Improper behavior includes engaging in fighting, threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior, creating a hazardous or physically dangerous condition or using offense language in a public place with the purpose of offending hearers. Disorderly conduct offenses must be brought within one year of the date of the incident in New Jersey. In New Jersey, you may be charged with a disorderly conduct offense for a wide range of improper behaviors that affect the public peace including any of the following:
- Public intoxication
- Loitering
- Fighting/simple assault
- Rioting
- Noise disturbances including yelling
- Shoplifting
- Resisting arrest
- Public exposure
- Public urination
A disorderly conduct conviction can result in a serious of punishments including jail time (up to one year in New Jersey), community service programs, drug and alcohol education programs, probation and monetary fines. Many behaviors which can lead to a charge of disorderly conduct may also involve more serious criminal charges which would result in significantly longer jail sentences or monetary fines. For example, often drug and alcohol related charges accompany disorderly conduct charges.
It is never advisable to attempt to represent yourself if you have been charged with a disorderly conduct offense. Many disorderly conduct convictions can be eventually expunged from the criminal record. An experienced criminal law attorney can help you present the best defense to your case and ultimately assist with the expungement of your criminal record under certain circumstances.
Experienced New Jersey Criminal Law Attorney Michele Finizio Represents Individuals Charged with Disorderly Conduct Offenses in NJ
If you have been charged with a disorderly conduct offense in New Jersey, experienced criminal law attorney Michele Finizio can assist you in all your legal needs. Attorney Michele Finizio, Esq. can help guide you through the complexities of criminal and juvenile court as well as traffic and municipal court starting with your initial appearance in court.
With offices conveniently located in Moorestown, New Jersey, Michele Finizio, Esquire serves clients throughout Southern New Jersey, including Cherry Hill, Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County and Salem County. To schedule your free confidential consultation today, call the New Jersey criminal law attorneys at the Law Offices of Michele Finizio at 856-888-9059 or submit an online inquiry form.