Norwalk Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

Many people would be surprised to learn how easy it is to get arrested for Disorderly Conduct.  Though this crime is not as serious as a violent felony charge, the impact of a disorderly conduct arrest can cause serious problems for you and your family. Potential penalties include hefty fines and a short jail sentence.

An arrest and possible conviction become a matter of public record that could impact employment, housing opportunities, and online reputation searches. If you have been arrested for disorderly conduct, contact a skilled domestic violence lawyer. A Norwalk disorderly conduct lawyer can guide you through the court process to reach the best result possible based on the circumstances of your case.

Defining Disorderly Conduct

The Connecticut criminal code sets forth seven different scenarios that can be considered disorderly conduct if they are committed intentionally or recklessly:

  • Fighting or engaging in behavior that is violent, tumultuous or threatening
  • Annoying or interfering with another person with offensive or disorderly conduct
  • Making unreasonable noise
  • Disturbing a meeting or assembly without legal authority
  • Blocking traffic of motor vehicles or pedestrians
  • Congregating with others in a public place and failing to disperse when ordered to do so
  • Trespassing and observing another person in that individual’s dwelling in a situation where the individual has an expectation of privacy

Because these definitions are so broadly written and interpreted by local police and prosecutors it is easy to get arrested for Disorderly Conduct. If you have been accused of disorderly conduct, a lawyer in Norwalk could build a case in your defense.

What are Intentional or Reckless Conduct Arrests?

The statute specifies that the above actions constitute as disorderly conduct when they are committed either with the specific intent to cause “inconvenience, annoyance or alarm” or when they are committed recklessly in a manner that creates a risk of causing such inconvenience, annoyance or alarm.

Combating Potential Penalties in Norwalk

Disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor under Connecticut law.  This means it’s punishable by a period of imprisonment of up to three months. In addition, the court may impose a fine of up to $500. A disorderly conduct charge may seem minor, but the potential consequences can have a long-lasting impact on your personal life, and in your professional endeavors. If you are facing disorderly conduct charges, rather than risk going it alone to court, seek advice and counsel from a Norwalk lawyer who can serve as your advocate, and help you work toward the best possible resolution of your case.

Fighting a Norwalk Disorderly Conduct Charge

A disorderly conduct arrest can stem from a wide variety of causes and situations, so there is no single defensive strategy applicable to all cases. These charges are most often seen in domestic violence cases, as it’s the least serious domestic violence crime in the books.  Often it can be argued that an individual’s conduct did not rise to the level of criminal conduct or that the police evidence is not sufficient to warrant the charge.

Any attorney that handles Disorderly Conduct arrests will know how the prosecutors and judges have applied the law in the past, especially in a wide variety of circumstances. This experience allows many Norwalk disorderly conduct lawyers to craft a strong defense on behalf of a potential client.

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