Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun Breach of Peace Charges Are Common
As any of the best Connecticut criminal defense attorneys will tell you, some of the most common arrests made at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino or Mohegan Sun Casino are for Breach of Peace and Disorderly Conduct. Unfortunately, these arrests can stem from seemingly harmless and unavoidable situations, such as bumping into another casino patron or getting into an argument with a nightclub bouncer.
What is Breach of Peace in CT?
The criminal statute for Second Degree Breach of Peace CGS § 53a-181 is extremely broad. It requires intentional or reckless conduct that causes another individual “inconvenience, annoyance or alarm” – which can be a completely subjective standard depending on who is making the complaint to the police. The Mark Sherman Law Firm routinely defends Connecticut Breach of Peace cases – you can read more about our most successful defense strategies here.
Can I Go to Jail for a Connecticut Breach of Peace Charge?
Yes, but it’s unlikely. Breach of Peace is a class B misdemeanor in Connecticut, punishable by up to 6 months in prison, a maximum $1000 fine, and up to one year of probation.
Disorderly Conduct Charges at Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods Casinos
Disorderly Conduct arrests are just as common in casinos, under CGS § 53a-182. Disorderly Conduct arrests can occur anytime a causes alarm, inconvenience, or fear in someone else. This crime is not as serious as breach of peace—it’s a class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to three months in jail, up to a $500 fine, and up to one year probation.
Tribal Police – Not Connecticut State Police – Will Arrest You at a Casino
All casino arrests are handled in Connecticut Superior Court, despite the arrest being made by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Police or Mohegan Sun Tribal Police Departments. Any arrest that occurs at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino is heard in New London Superior Court, located at 112 Broad Street, New London, CT. Mohegan Sun arrests are primarily adjudicated Norwich Superior Court, located at 1 Courthouse Square, Norwich, CT.
What to Expect at Your First Court Date for a Mohegan Sun / Foxwoods Breach of Peace Case
As the best Connecticut casino criminal defense attorneys can explain, one of the first orders of business should be to consider whether to preserve any video surveillance evidence from the casino’s “eyes in the skies.” This evidence might allow your attorney to get your charges dismissed without the use of a court diversionary program, such as the Accelerated Pretrial Rehabilitation Program (that can hang over your head for up to two years), which allows your case to be dismissed and closed as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. WARNING: not all video footage is helpful, so talk to your lawyer first about whether to request video footage.
Getting Your Arrest Report Removed From The Internet
Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun Casino arrests are sometimes publicized in local newspapers with online news websites, causing tremendous reputation damage to you, personally and professionally. These reports—which can include your mug shot—are often the first results in a Google search. Once your top Norwich or New London casino criminal defense attorney is able to get your criminal case dismissed in court, they should be able to help you scrub the internet of all traces of your arrest. Follow this link to learn more about Mark Sherman Law’s cutting-edge internet scrubbing practice.
Contact a Top Connecticut Criminal Lawyer at Mark Sherman Law Today
If you have been arrested by Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun tribal police, or are being investigated for a crime, contact one of the Norwich / New London criminal defense attorneys at Mark Sherman Law today. Our hundreds of certified client reviews speak for themselves. We will work quickly and cost-effectively to get your charges dropped as quickly and cost-effectively as possible. Attorneys are available to discuss your case 24 hours a day at (203) 358-4700.
