Westport Disorderly Conduct Penalties
In order to maximize your odds of obtaining a positive outcome to your case, it can be helpful to retain a top legal professional. A seasoned attorney can help you understand Westport Disorderly Conduct penalties and work with you to mitigate them both in and out of court.
What Are the Criminal Consequences of Disorderly Conduct?
According to Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) §53a-182, anyone found to have committed any of the following actions with the intent of annoying, interfering with, or alarming another person can be charged with Disorderly Conduct:
- Interfering with a lawful gathering
- Fighting physically or verbally in public
- Making an unreasonable amount of noise
- Refusing to disperse from an unlawful gathering
- Obstructing traffic in a public roadway or sidewalk
- Spying on someone without their knowledge while trespassing on that person’s property
This statute also allows law enforcement to arrest anyone deemed to be annoying or interfering with another person. This grants police a great deal of discretion and can lead to arrests under questionable circumstances. If a person has been charged with disorder conduct in Westport, an attorney could analyze the case and help them mitigate penalties.
Is Disorderly Conduct a Misdemeanor or Felony?
In Connecticut, Disorderly Conduct is a class C misdemeanor. If convicted of a Disorderly Conduct offense, the penalties a Westport resident can face include a maximum $500 fine and up to three months of jail time, as per C.G.S. §53a-36.
First offenses are typically punished more leniently by judges, but repeated offenses will typically result in the maximum possible sentence being handed down. Either way, this offense would remain on your permanent criminal record, the existence of which can severely limit your options when it comes to jobs, education, and sometimes even housing opportunities.
Is Disorderly Conduct the Same as Domestic Violence?
If an instance of Disorderly Conduct directly involves someone who is married, related to, in a relationship with, or sharing a domicile with the accused party, it may be classified as domestic violence. In this scenario, the arrested party will almost always have an order of protection placed against them on behalf of their family or household members, usually within 24 hours of arrest. Even if the ensuing criminal case does not result in a conviction, this protection order may remain in effect.
In addition, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) may investigate the arrested party’s home if they suspect the alleged Disorderly Conduct involved or endangered minor children, and the arrested party may even be removed from their home before their trial even occurs. Considering these potential consequences and penalties for domestic violence and Disorderly Conduct in Westport, quality legal representation is a necessity.
Talk to a Westport Attorney About Mitigating Disorderly Conduct Penalties
Pursuing a positive outcome to any criminal case can be a tough task for a defendant to manage alone, and Disorderly Conduct cases are no exception. Call Mark Sherman Law today to speak with a qualified legal professional about addressing the potential Westport Disorderly Conduct penalties in your case.