Disorderly conduct charges are relatively common in Arizona, especially in downtown areas where people often gather in groups. Disorderly conduct is an offense you may be charged with in Gilbert, AZ for many different actions or behaviors. Understanding Arizona’s disorderly conduct laws, as well as possible defense options, can help you protect your rights.
The best way to protect your rights, however, is by hiring a Gilbert disorderly conduct attorney. The disorderly conduct lawyers at AZ Defenders can help you. Request your free consultation at (480) 456-6400 today.
To be found guilty of disorderly conduct in Arizona, the prosecution will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that your behaviors or actions made you a disorderly person under state law. Under Arizona Revised Statutes 13-2904, a person is disorderly if he or she knowingly and with the intent to disturb the peace of an individual, family or neighborhood:
There are many different things you could do or fail to do to receive disorderly conduct charges in Gilbert. If you or a loved one is facing any type of charge for disorderly conduct, speak to a Gilbert disorderly conduct attorney right away for help with your criminal case. A disorderly conduct conviction can come with severe penalties in some situations.
The penalties for disorderly conduct in Arizona change according to the seriousness of the crime. Being found guilty of disorderly conduct by recklessly using or displaying a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument is a class 6 felony in Arizona, punishable with 1.5 to 3 years’ imprisonment. Almost all other forms of disorderly conduct are charged as class 1 misdemeanors, with potential penalties of up to six months in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
Although several different defenses may be available to you as a defendant in a disorderly conduct case, the most commonly used strategy is to undermine the prosecutor’s case against you by attacking the evidence. In criminal law, a prosecutor has a burden to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime.
In many disorderly conduct cases, the prosecutor has difficulty providing sufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof, as many people who witness disorderly conduct are not willing to go to court or involve themselves in a trial. Other defense strategies may also be available, however. Your Gilbert disorderly conduct lawyer can evaluate your specific case to determine the best defense strategy moving forward.
A disorderly conduct conviction can have serious consequences. You may face months or years behind bars, as well as expensive fines and lasting implications, such as damage to your reputation and relationships. Protect yourself from the worst possible outcome of a disorderly conduct case with help from an experienced Gilbert or Phoenix disorderly conduct attorney.
Request a free consultation with the disorderly conduct lawyers at AZ Defenders for more information. Contact us online or call (480) 456-6400 24/7.
