Ridgefield Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

No matter what circumstances led to your arrest, assistance from a Ridgefield disorderly conduct lawyer could be crucial to preserving your future prospects. In addition to explaining why you were charged and what consequences a conviction could lead to, a criminal defense attorney could also help you build a strong defense.

How Does State Law Define Disorderly Conduct?

The crime of disorderly conduct is defined in Connecticut General Statutes §53a-182. While it is a broadly defined crime, there are seven actions that could result in your arrest. These are, in no specific order:

Engaging in fighting, threatening, or other aggressive behavior in a public place
Making an unreasonable amount of noise
Obstructing passage on a public road or sidewalk
Disobeying or ignoring a police officer’s order to disperse from a lawful public gathering
Disturbing or obstructing a lawful public gathering
Acting as a “peeping tom”—in other words, trespassing with the intent of observing someone else without their knowledge or consent
Annoying or interfering with someone else through “offensive or disorderly conduct”

What Are The Penalties for Disorderly Conduct?

Anything from a loud argument with a spouse to a misunderstanding about permission to be on property could lead to a disorderly conduct charge—and, upon conviction, up to a $500 fine and/or three months in jail, not to mention significant consequences in family court if the offense is classified as domestic violence. Accordingly, seeking advice from a knowledgeable Ridgefield disorderly conduct attorney is often crucial to avoiding serious short-term and long-term repercussions.

Is My Disorderly Conduct Charge Domestic Violence?

An attorney can help you understand what if any additional ramifications your arrest could have. If you are arrested following a dispute with a spouse, your case could be labeled as domestic violence. This means you could be facing protective orders that can prevent you from coming home. If your children were around or involved, the Department of Children and Families can get involved as well.

Can I Contest Disorderly Conduct Charges in Ridgefield?

Fortunately, it is often possible for individuals who have no prior criminal record to seek less severe sentencing options for a disorderly conduct charge. With help from a disorderly conduct lawyer in Ridgefield, a first-time offender may be able to negotiate their misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge down to a non-criminal infraction or seek participation in the Connecticut Family Violence Education Program as an alternative to criminal punishment.

In other circumstances, it may be possible to directly contest the allegations made by police against a defendant, showing that the core elements of disorderly conduct were not present in the defendant’s actions.

Speak with a Ridgefield Disorderly Conduct Attorney About Legal Options