What To Expect If You Are Arrested for Disorderly Conduct in Connecticut
- In Connecticut, Disorderly Conduct is a very broad charge.
- You can be arrested for Disorderly Conduct / § 53a-182 by misdemeanor summons.
- If your CT Disorderly Conduct arrest is considered domestic violence, you’ll have to appear in court the next business day.
- If you’re arrested for first-time Disorderly Conduct in Connecticut, call a top CT criminal defense attorney for help.
Disorderly Conduct is the Most Commonly Charged Domestic Violence Crime in Connecticut
Officials throughout Connecticut take Disorderly Conduct arrests seriously, especially when they are in the domestic violence category. Even if neither party wants the police to make an arrest, experienced Connecticut criminal attorneys know that once someone calls 911, an arrest of one or both parties is to be expected. Because of this, it’s important to make sure you contact any of the best Connecticut domestic violence criminal lawyers before you even set foot in court.
What is Disorderly Conduct in Connecticut?
Disorderly Conduct is found under § 53a-182 of Connecticut’s criminal laws. It covers a range of behavior, including intending to cause inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm and engaging in threatening or violent behavior or interfering with another person in an offensive way. You can even be arrested for Disorderly Conduct / § 53a-182 in Connecticut for making unreasonable noise. For more on how easy it is to get arrested for Disorderly Conduct in Connecticut, check out this post.
Is Disorderly Conduct Domestic Violence in Connecticut?
Most often, yes. Domestic violence isn’t a crime by itself in Connecticut, but instead refers to a group of crimes that – when the other person is a close relative, significant other, or roommate – Connecticut police and courts will consider the case to be domestic violence. Connecticut police officers, prosecutors, and judges treat domestic violence cases seriously, so it’s important to make sure you work with an experienced attorney to build your defense from the very beginning.
Do I Need to Go to Court for Disorderly Conduct?
Yes. Even if you’re only handed a disorderly conduct / § 53a-182 misdemeanor summons, you’ll have to appear in court on the next business day if it’s a domestic violence case. You’ll be interviewed by a family relations office, will be issued a protective order by the judge, and may even be ordered into mandatory treatment – all before anyone even discusses the allegations with you. For more on what to expect on that first day in court, read this article.
Will DCF Get Involved after a Disorderly Conduct Arrest?
If there are children present or even just in the home at the time you’re arrested for Disorderly Conduct in Connecticut, you can expect the Department of Children and Families to get a referral and show up at your door. Even if there are no allegations that a child was abused or neglected – the arrest itself is often enough to trigger an investigation. For more on what to expect during a Connecticut DCF investigation, click here.
Will I Go to Jail for a First Time Disorderly Conduct Arrest?
While the maximum penalty for a Disorderly Conduct conviction includes up to 90 days in jail, your Connecticut criminal defense attorney can work to get your case dropped and erased from your record. Your attorney may be able to successfully get you into the Family Violence Education Program, or may even be able to get your case dropped outright.
Call an Experienced Connecticut Disorderly Conduct Lawyer Today
If you’re facing a Connecticut Disorderly Conduct / § 53a-182 arrest, don’t make the mistake of going into court alone. Get a team of attorneys who can protect your rights and who regularly handle Disorderly Conduct and domestic violence cases in Connecticut. You can read what our past clients have to say and then give us a call at (203) 358-4700.