Darien Breach of Peace Arrest Lawyer

If you were recently arrested for criminal breach of peace, and especially if your offense was classified as domestic violence, you should talk to a Darien breach of peace arrest lawyer as soon as possible. Let a local domestic violence attorney help you to resolve your case.

How is Breach of Peace Classified?

Breach of peace in the second degree is a class B misdemeanor offense codified under Connecticut General Statutes §53a-181. First-degree breach of peace is a class D felony under C.G.S. §53a-180aa, but since it involves leaving an imitation explosive device in a public place with the intent of alarming or inconveniencing other people, it is rarely applicable to domestic violence cases that Darien breach of peace arrest attorneys handle.

A variety of actions may constitute second-degree breach of peace under Connecticut state law if they are intentional and occur in a public place, including but not limited to fighting, engaging in tumultuous behavior, threatening the commission of a criminal act, posting offensive signage or material, using abusive or obscene language while threatening bodily harm, and physically striking or assaulting another person. If someone commits any of these actions against their spouse or dating partner, a family member, or another member of their household, they may be charged with a domestic violence offense. To learn more about domestic violence arrests, click here.

What Are the Consequences of a Breach of Peace Arrest?

Class B misdemeanor convictions may be punished by up to six months in jail and up to $1,000 in fines, so if someone in Darien is convicted of second-degree breach of peace, those are the maximum criminal penalties they could receive. A designation of domestic violence does not allow for any additional criminal sanctions, but it does fundamentally change the nature of the criminal case that follows.

What Makes Domestic Violence Different?

First, domestic violence cases in Connecticut usually proceed much more quickly than other types of criminal cases, in the interest of protecting the alleged victim. While someone who commits a typical breach of peace offense in Darien may have a few days after their arrest to secure a lawyer and consider their legal options, those accused of domestic violence offenses are usually arraigned and made subject to a protective order the very next business morning after they are detained.

Depending on the terms of the protective order issued during their arraignment, defendants arrested for domestic violence breach of peace may be forbidden from living in the same residence, using the same workspace, or having any contact at all with the protected party. They may also be investigated by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, and if their case ends with a conviction in criminal conviction, their temporary protective order may be extended into a standing criminal one.

Hiring an attorney who has handled breach of peace cases can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case. Knowing how to juggle the different moving parts and how best to represent your defense can potentially save you from a conviction or jail time.

Seek Guidance from a Darien Breach of Peace Arrest Attorney

Protecting yourself from criminal prosecution is often a matter of seeking the right legal counsel. Let a skilled Darien breach of peace arrest lawyer help with every aspect of your case. Read our certified 5-star reviews on Avvo.com, and then give the skilled lawyers at Mark Sherman Law a call to learn more.