Disorderly conduct is one of the most commonly filed criminal charges in Mesa, AZ. In an effort to keep cities and neighborhoods calm and peaceful, many laws limit what people can and cannot do. If you are being charged with a disorderly conduct crime in Mesa, do not wait to seek counsel from a Mesa disorderly conduct attorney. The experienced disorderly conduct lawyers at AZ Defenders offer free initial consultations. Contact us today.

How Can a Law Firm Help You With Disorderly Conduct Charges?

  • We work hard to deliver high-quality legal representation on all criminal cases, including disorderly conduct crimes. We are available to take client calls 24/7.
  • Our lawyers use proven, custom-tailored defense strategies to advocate for their clients. We are recognized as one of the most effective criminal defense firms in Arizona.
  • Our founder, attorney Craig Rosenstein, has years of experience as a Mesa criminal defense lawyer. Rather than advising his clients to plead guilty, he fights for their rights in court.

Understanding Mesa’s Laws Regarding a Disorderly Person

The definition of the crime of disorderly conduct in Arizona comes down to one key matter: whether or not the defendant was being disorderly. Under Arizona Revised Statutes 13-2904, a disorderly person is someone who creates a disturbance of the peace. You may face this type of criminal charge in Mesa if you knowingly or intentionally did something that compromised the peace of a person or community, such as:

  • Threatening or intimidating someone
  • Challenging someone to a fight
  • Fighting or brawling
  • Yelling or shouting
  • Causing excessively loud noise
  • Allowing your dog to bark
  • Playing music too loudly
  • Using offensive words in a public place
  • Inciting a riot
  • Brandishing a weapon in a public place

The action or behavior in question must reach a degree of severity that is enough to jeopardize or take away another person’s peace. Simply annoying or embarrassing someone in public will not be enough for a disorderly conduct charge. Innocent horseplay is also not against the law. It is important to note that if the action or behavior in question was done with the purpose of trying to incite violence, disorderly conduct could lead to additional criminal charges as well.

What Is the Penalty for Disorderly Conduct in Arizona?

The highly varied definition of disorderly conduct in Arizona means similarly wide-ranging penalties. In general, the potential penalties you could face for a disorderly conduct conviction in Arizona will match the severity of the actual action or behavior committed:

  • Recklessly displaying or discharging a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument is a class 6 felony. The minimum sentence is 1.5 years’ imprisonment, up to 3 years maximum.
  • Most other acts of disorderly conduct are class 1 misdemeanors, punishable with up to six months in jail, three years of probation and/or a fine of up to $2,500.
  • Any disorderly conduct charge with one or more prior dangerous felony conviction on the defendant’s record can increase the sentence. The mandatory prison-only sentence is a minimum of 3 years with a maximum of 4.5 years.

The penalties you could face for disorderly conduct make it important to work with an experienced and aggressive Mesa disorderly conduct attorney on your criminal case.

Applicable Legal Defenses To Disorderly Conduct in Mesa

Your disorderly conduct lawyer in Mesa should take the time to carefully review the facts of your case, as well as your criminal background, to custom-tailor a defense strategy on your behalf. Your defense may be based on:

  • Lack of sufficient evidence
  • Lack of eyewitnesses willing to testify
  • Alibi or incorrect defendant
  • Police misconduct
  • Justification for your behavior

An experienced Mesa disorderly conduct attorney will know the strongest defense to use to undermine the prosecutor’s case against you.

Don’t Hesitate, Speak With a Disorderly Conduct Lawyer in Mesa

If you are facing criminal charges for disorderly conduct, contact our local Mesa law office at (480) 456-6400 to request a free consultation with a defense attorney. We will do everything we can to protect you from the worst possible criminal consequences. The attorneys at AZ Defenders take phone calls from potential clients 24/7 and respond promptly to online messages. Contact AZ Defenders today.