Disorderly Conduct
Criminal Defense Attorney in Miami
Per United States v. Lyons, disorderly conduct, or breaching the peace, is charged against "[w]hoever commits such acts as are of a nature to corrupt the public morals, or outrage the sense of public decency, or affect the peace and quiet of persons who may witness them, " among other offenses. This charge may be brought against someone caught fighting in public or making a loud noise in a quiet place, those who are involved in a party, convention, or other activity—either in a private home or in a public place—or those that are drunk in a public area. The following is a comprehensive list of the punishable offenses that fall under the category of disorderly conduct, as described by our firm's Miami criminal defense lawyer:
- Public intoxication
- Physically altercations in public
- Non-violent encounters will police
- Obstructing vehicle or pedestrian traffic
- Making unreasonable noises in public
- Using obscene or abusive language
- Loitering in certain areas
- Inciting a riot
Penalties & Sentencing for Disorderly Conduct
According to Florida Statute §877, most crimes that fall under the category of disorderly conduct are treated as a second degree misdemeanor. As such, one could expect to face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. This is only true of most non-violent offenses, however, as a public fight may yield more severe sentencing. When the circumstances warrant it, a disorderly conduct may be bumped up to a first degree misdemeanor, which could result in imprisonment for up to one year and even more serious fines. For this reason, if you have been accused of such an offense, it may be in your best interests to consult with a lawyer immediately.
David S. Seltzer is an experienced criminal defense lawyer serving South Florida that can assist you to fight back against disorderly conduct charges. Our legal team acts quickly to fight for you, and in many cases can get the charges dismissed or reduced. We make our legal services available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and offer a free, confidential consultation. We do not have an answering service and make ourselves available to those who need any time day or night. We know when you get caught in the net of law enforcement on disorderly conduct charges, you need to get it resolved before your case progresses any further through the system, and we can help.