Connecticut Disorderly Conduct Penalties
Connecticut disorderly conduct penalties can vary depending on how your case plays out. These consequences can affect your life for years to come, so it is usually a good idea to know in advance what to expect and how best to defend yourself. Let a knowledgeable disorderly conduct attorney help you fight your case.
What Are the Potential Outcomes of a Disorderly Conduct Criminal Case?
According to Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-182, disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor offense. If a defendant is convicted, the maximum penalties a court could impose on them would be a fine of $500 and a jail sentence of three months. While this may not seem like a lot, a criminal conviction can affect your ability to secure employment, education, and even certain housing in the future.
Further, the stakes rise even more when disorderly conduct is classified as domestic violence. While disorderly conduct being classified as a domestic violence offense in Connecticut does not allow for any additional criminal sanctions to be levied against a defendant upon conviction, it could lead to the imposition of a protective order, or an investigation by DCF. Things move fast in a domestic violence case, and if you’re unfamiliar with the process it can be difficult to know what to do. That’s where a seasoned attorney can help.
Are There Any Additional Consequences I Can Face?
Any Connecticut disorderly conduct classified as domestic violence—meaning it allegedly targeted a family member, spouse, relationship partner, or household member—can have numerous repercussions even before the defendants get their day in criminal court. As soon as the next business day after their arrest, a person arrested for domestic violence disorderly conduct in Connecticut will have to appear for their initial arraignment, during which the judge will almost certainly issue a temporary protective order.
This protective order is meant to protect the alleged victim of domestic violence from any further harm, but with so little information to go on, judges overseeing these arraignment hearings often make unduly harsh judgements against defendants. At the judge’s discretion, a defendant may be forced to temporarily move out of their home, avoid the protected party’s workplace, or even cut contact with the protected party completely until their trial date. To learn more about Connecticut domestic violence protective orders, click here.
One more consideration to make if you are facing domestic violence disorderly conduct charges involves the Department of Children and Families. If the police suspect you are a danger to your children, they are required under law to report their suspicions to DCF. An investigator for the Department can show up in a matter of days wanting to do a home tour, talk to you, and even talk to your children. This will not typically be put on hold for a criminal case, which means the two can run at the same time. Knowing how to protect yourself from all angles is highly important, and a lawyer can help. To learn more, click here.
A Connecticut Attorney Could Help Contest Penalties for Disorderly Conduct
Without qualified legal counsel, you could end up facing the maximum allowable consequences for disorderly conduct. Read the hundreds of certified 5-star reviews from prior clients at Avvo.com, and you will see how important a lawyer can be. Talk to an attorney at Mark Sherman Law about Connecticut disorderly conduct penalties today to see how you could mitigate your odds of facing them.