Darien Disorderly Conduct Court Process

Knowing what you can generally expect from the Darien Disorderly Conduct court process is key to minimizing stress while your court proceedings are ongoing and to achieving the best possible resolution for your unique case. While there is no substitute for guidance from a seasoned Disorderly Conduct defense attorney, here is a brief primer on the steps involved in these cases and how a “family violence” designation could change those procedures.

What to Expect from a Disorderly Conduct Criminal Trial

The first step in the court process for Disorderly Conduct charges in Darien is arraignment, which is a preliminary court hearing where the judge will inform the defendant of their rights and require them to enter a plea. When someone is arrested for Disorderly Conduct without being detained, the date and time they must appear for the hearing will be on the paper citation they received from the law enforcement officer who arrested them. When they are detained, the arraignment will typically happen on the next business day for that court system.

Arraignment is also the part of the criminal process where the judge will set bond for the defendant. Since Disorderly Conduct is a Class C misdemeanor offense, judges will generally allow the accused to be released “on personal recognizance,” meaning they do not have to pay a bond to avoid being detained until their trial. However, they must also promise to appear—and then, of course, actually appear—for all subsequent court dates.

After arraignment, there may be one or more pre-trial conferences between the defendant, their legal counsel, and the prosecutor for the state of Connecticut. During such a conference, the parties involved can discuss the case and possible alternatives to prosecution, such as a diversionary program or agreeing to a plea bargain. When no such agreement can be reached, the case will proceed to trial.

Unique Aspects of Domestic Violence Disorderly Conduct Cases

When someone in Darien is arrested on suspicion of Disorderly Conduct targeting a household or family member, their charge will likely be categorized as “family violence.”  This can have a major impact on how the court process for their case will go. For instance, a person arrested for a family violence offense in Connecticut will virtually always have to appear for arraignment on the next business morning, regardless of whether they were detained or not following their arrest.

Additionally, the defendant will have to meet with someone from the court’s Family Relations Office prior to their arraignment, and they will likely be subject to a temporary protective order issued by the court during the arraignment hearing. A knowledgeable attorney can provide vital guidance about this particular type of case and work diligently to protect a defendant’s rights throughout.

Let Our Darien Attorneys Help Throughout the Disorderly Conduct Court Process

Whether you are brought into custody based on suspicion of Disorderly Conduct or given a written citation by an officer who responded to an alleged disturbance, the Darien Disorderly Conduct court process begins the moment you are arrested. Every step of this process can have a significant bearing on the outcome of your case, so retaining skilled legal counsel as quickly as possible can be vital to maximizing your chances of getting a favorable result.

Call Mark Sherman Law today for a free consultation, and click here to read about what our past clients have to say about working with us.