Disorderly Conduct Arrests in Greenwich

Understanding how disorderly conduct arrests in Greenwich work in practice could be much easier with guidance from a qualified disorderly conduct attorney. No matter what circumstances led to you being charged with this offense, having a capable legal professional on your side could be crucial to effectively defending your best interests both in and out of court.

What is Considered Disorderly Conduct?

Disorderly conduct is a very broad charge that applies to a variety situations, all of which may make for slightly different criminal proceedings and require unique defense strategies.

This crime’s most commonly applied definition is annoying or interfering with someone else through offensive or disorderly conduct. However, no further clarification is provided about what might be “disorderly” behavior. Arrests based on this definition often occur when a police officer responds to an alleged domestic disturbance and are based entirely on that single officer’s interpretation of the situation.

Connecticut General Statutes (C.G.S.) § 53a-182 lists several specific actions that may constitute disorderly conduct. These behaviors include making unreasonable noise, fighting or engaging in “tumultuous or threatening behavior” in public, disturbing a lawful assembly, and refusing to comply with an official order to disperse from a public place. Accordingly, some disorderly conduct arrests in Greenwich will often occur after public protests or gatherings.

What Happens After a Disorderly Conduct Arrest?

Not all disorderly conduct arrests in Greenwich involve a police officer taking someone into custody. Sometimes you are issued a misdemeanor summons to appear in court, this is the functional equivalent of an arrest! Failing to appear for the court date included on that summons could carry severe criminal repercussions and additional charges. Click here to learn more about Failure to Appear.

In addition, disorderly conduct cases tend to move much faster if the underlying charge is classified as domestic violence. For example, if you are arrested for specifically targeting a household or family member, you will need to appear in court on the next business day rather than in a few weeks. You will also likely be subject to a protective order until the criminal trial concludes.

It is sometimes possible to get domestic violence disorderly conduct arrests dismissed by convincing the court there is no real threat to any family member’s safety. This can be done by mediating the underlying disagreement or participating in the Family Violence Education Program. A knowledgeable legal representative could explain these and other possible options for dealing with an arrest more in detail.

Seek Legal Counsel for a Disorderly Conduct Arrest in Greenwich

Being arrested and accused of disorderly conduct can often be a confusing experience, especially if you have never been in trouble with the law before. Addressing an arrest for this type of charge proactively and effectively can potentially help you avoid long-term criminal, professional, and personal consequences.

Speaking with experienced legal counsel after disorderly conduct arrests in Greenwich should be a priority. Contact the office of Mark Sherman Law today to schedule a consultation. Click here to read our over 300 certified 5-star reviews on Avvo.com.