Weston Disorderly Conduct Arrest Lawyer

A Weston disorderly conduct arrest lawyer can explain your options for fighting the charges. When you work with a top criminal attorney, their team can work to protect your rights and fight to help you reach a positive outcome.

What Happens to My Rights after an Arrest for Disorderly Conduct?

Most people are aware that they have legal rights when they are arrested or questioned by police, but they are not certain of the extent of these rights. More importantly, they are not aware of how easy it can be to forfeit those rights.

Sometimes, while trying to be cooperative, individuals can actually harm their case by saying something that may be taken out of context and used against them. Consulting a disorderly conduct arrest attorney in Weston can prevent this type of misstep and protect the rights of the accused.

How Does Connecticut Define Disorderly Conduct?

Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor criminal offense defined in Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-182. The statute describes seven different types of actions that can be prosecuted as disorderly conduct, and many of these actions seem like common, minor occurrences. Because this statute is so broad, the police have discretion in what they do and do not find to be disorderly conduct. The flip side of this is that there is broad room for a lawyer to argue that your actions were not disorderly conduct.

Is it Easy to be Convicted of Disorderly Conduct?

Because of the broad definition of disorderly conduct, it can be easy for prosecutors to obtain a conviction unless the person accused takes a firm defensive stance based on the application of the law to the circumstances. However, the statute specifies that an individual must be acting with “intent to cause inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm” or act in a way that recklessly creates a risk of annoying, alarming, or inconveniencing others. A Weston disorderly conduct arrest attorney may be able to demonstrate that the person accused did not act recklessly or with deliberate intent and therefore no violation occurred.

What Types of Acts Are Considered Disorderly Conduct?

Under C.G.S. §53a-182, someone may be found guilty of disorderly conduct for:

  • Congregating in a public place and refusing to leave when requested to
  • Trespassing and observing someone in their home without their knowledge
  • Blocking traffic
  • Making too much noise
  • Engaging in a fight or “tumultuous” behavior
  • Annoying or interfering with another person through offensive or disorderly conduct
  • Disturbing a meeting

What Are the Penalties for Disorderly Conduct?

Disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor. Someone arrested for disorderly conduct in Weston could be imprisoned for up to three months and made to pay a fine of up to $500. While this may not be likely for a first-time offender, a court may be more inclined to impose a term of incarceration if the person charged has a record of prior offenses.

Moreover, that person acquires a criminal record visible to anyone who conducts a background search.

Talk to a Weston Disorderly Conduct Arrest Attorney

A Weston disorderly conduct arrest lawyer could review the circumstances of your case and explore available defense strategies. An attorney may be able to argue that police violated a procedural rule or that they lack sufficient evidence for a conviction. Call now for a free consultation and case evaluation to learn more.

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