Philadelphia Disorderly Conduct Lawyer
The term disorderly conduct serves as a comprehensive offense for many types of improper behavior. In most cases, a disorderly conduct charge is reserved for those individuals who are acting unmannerly in public, but really do not pose as a threat to themselves or anyone else.
A conviction for disorderly conduct is a harmless offense… right? Wrong! If you are convicted for disorderly conduct with an otherwise untarnished record, unnecessary stress and havoc will become a huge part of your life when seeking employment or attempting to apply for a loan. Since the charge of disorderly conduct is vague in nature, you often might find yourself explaining the facts of the occurrence over and over again in attempt to convey that it was essentially not a big deal. However, at the end of the interview the person receiving the explanation may have other thoughts on your conviction and decide to go with another candidate.
Disorderly Conduct is an offense which includes a wide range of activities. Prosecutors and police use it either when other charges do not apply or when police believe that you annoyed, harassed, or alarmed another person. Persons are frequently charged with Disorderly Conduct after fights or public disturbances.
What is Disorderly Conduct?
There are two things a prosecutor has to show for you to be found guilty: 1) that you posses an intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm; and that 2) you engage in fighting (or threaten it), make unreasonable noise, use obscene language (or gestures), or create a hazardous or physically offensive condition with no legitimate purpose.
Examples of Disorderly Conduct
- You use the middle finger in public at another person.
- You yell at passer-byes for no legitimate reason.
- You fight someone else in public.
- You play loud music in the car.
- You create a dangerous condition outside your house during construction, such that it is hazardous to other people.
As you can see, Disorderly Conduct covers a range of behaviors, which is why it is important to have a skilled attorney examine your case. This kind of charge is relatively easy to prove in court, so you need a skilled advocate by your side.
What Is Not Disorderly Conduct
- Political protesting, because this conduct is legitimate
- Religious proselytizing, because preaching in the street is protected and serves a legitimate purpose.
- Yelling at someone to get out of the way of a car or bus.
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct
Disorderly Conduct is usually graded as a summary offense, but sometimes as a misdemeanor (when police believe you intended to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience or continue to engage in disorderly conduct after a reasonable warning to stop). As a result, penalties can range from 90 days in jail to one year, if charged with the higher graded offense.
Most importantly, however, is the effect of a conviction on your job prospects, school applications, and even background checks for renting property. In these cases, decisions are made about your character solely based on a conviction for disorderly conduct. It is important to minimize any and all convictions on your record.
Disorderly Conduct Philadelphia Lawyer
Call The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. today for a free consultation. We have decades of experience handling cases, and can help you resolve your case today.
This content was written on behalf of Greg Prosmushkin.