Disorderly Conduct Charges are some of the most successfully challenged criminal offenses in Maricopa County. Find out how and why.

“Disorderly Conduct arrests are made all too often in Maricopa County AZ; How good criminal defense attorneys get disorderly conduct charges dismissed”.

Maricopa County Disorderly Conduct Charges Maricopa County “Disorderly conduct charges”, sometimes referred to as “disturbing the peace” are made all too often. But commonality does not reduce their consequences. An experienced Maricopa County criminal defense attorney will tell you they should be taken seriously due to the severe penalties you may be exposed to if convicted.

Arizona Disorderly Conduct Penalties Circumstances surrounding the incident have a significant impact on the classification in which they will be charged. Disorderly conduct charges in are usually brought as Class 1 Misdemeanors., he highest level of Arizona Misdemeanors. Class 1 Misdemeanor convictions carry penalties of up to 6 months incarceration and up to $2500.00 fines. Class 6 Felonies will usually be charged if the disorderly conduct involves a firearm. Disorderly Conduct Felony Charges carry maximum sentencing of up to one year in state prison, fines, fees, a felony criminal record; and could include other punishments ordered by the court.

Disorderly Conduct Laws in Maricopa County Arizona Disorderly Conduct Laws are classified, and defined in Title 13 of Arizona Criminal Code ARS 13-2904. Below is a paraphrased discussion of the law: A person can be charged with disorderly conduct in the following circumstances:

1) The person “with intent” disturbs another person, neighborhood, or business’s peace: or

2) “With knowledge”, of their actions, a person displays or engages in the following: • Fight, altercation. or other behavior which was disruptive;

• Unreasonably disruptive noise or music;

• Offensive, abusive, disturbing language or gestures which in turn provoke another person to immediately retaliate;

• The disruption or commotion continues for an extended period of time;

• Any physical or verbal disturbance displayed with the intent to prevent or distract a lawful gathering, or meeting;

• Disobedience or Failure to adhere to a lawful instructions or orders to leave, evacuate, or dismiss one’s presence from a premises or area issued for purposes of public safety; risk of danger or peril such as fire; or other imminent hazard or emergency;

• Reckless display or unlawful discharge of a gun or other deadly weapon.

Defenses for Maricopa County AZ Disorderly Conduct Charges Experienced Maricopa County criminal defense attorneys challenge disorderly conduct charges frequently due to their subjective nature. An effective use of legal defenses often results in dismissal of the charges. There are a vast number of defenses that can be used to combat unjust or unwarranted disorderly conduct charges. Your criminal defense lawyer uses will be tailored to the fact of the case: Below are examples of defenses that may apply (list not exhaustive):

• “Justification”; Defenses used to explain why the conduct was “justified” and not unlawful: self-defense; imminent fear of danger to one’s self or family; immediate reaction to provocation or threat;

• “Affirmative”; Facts that bar or prevent the State from being able to prosecute the charges: Jurisdictional challenges; violations of time limit statutes to bring charges; the accused had a severe mental illness and did not know or intend to engage in disorderly conduct;

• “Reasonable Doubt”; Trust worthy witnesses to the incident provide compelling testimony which conflicts with the police officer’s account of the accused person’s conducts; Prosecution is unable to prove “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the accused engaged in disorderly conduct; No evidence, witnesses, or no complaints exists to support that the accused disturbed anyone’s peace or engaged in disorderly conduct;

• “Violation (s) of Constitutional Rights”; Right to free speech in absences of abusive or offensive language; right to lawfully and peacefully assemble; right to peacefully and without offense or disturbance pray, practice faith or religion of choice.

Reasons Police Choose to Make Arrests for Disorderly Conduct
Those arrested or charged for disorderly conduct often wonder what they did to deserve to be arrested. Maricopa County criminal defense attorneys agree that it is an overused charged. The police generally use it as a “catch-all” charge, when no other appropriate charges exist and they want to make an arrest. Charges sometimes follow a police warning, but a warning is not required. The most common reasons police decide to charge or arrest someone for disorderly conduct is Maricopa County is for the following reasons:

1) Police are annoyed with you;

2) No other appropriate charges exist for them to use;

3) Police feel the need to make an arrest or charge because someone has made a complaint against you;

4) Police gave you a warning, and the conduct, music, disruptive behavior continued and they had to return;

5) You disrespected or disobeyed orders from police;

6) Police believed your actions were deliberate, intended, and you were not cooperating with them Never plead guilty for disorderly conduct charges without first consulting a Maricopa County Criminal Defense Attorney. They will provide you with information and options for your defense.

If you “Like” this article please let us know! Feel Free to “Share”!
If you have been arrested; face active Arizona criminal or DUI charges, or have an existing warrant for your arrest in Maricopa County for Arizona DUI, DWI, drunk driving, drug or any other criminal charges contact the Law Office of James Novak, for your Free Consultation at (480) 413-1499.

James Novak, experienced Arizona criminal Defense and DUI & Criminal defense Attorney, James Novak will speak with you directory concerning your charges, and provide you with defense options. James Novak is an experienced trial lawyer and former prosecutor. The Law Office of James Novak is devoted 100% to defending DUI, Drug & criminal charges in valley wide within Maricopa County including Maricopa County Defense AZ, Scottsdale AZ, Tempe AZ, Phoenix AZ, Chandler AZ, Maricopa County Defense AZ, East Valley, and surrounding cities within the Phoenix metro and Maricopa County Area