Phoenix DUI Lawyer Blog

Arizona Disorderly Conduct Laws, and Penalties

If your are charged in Arizona with Disorderly Conduct, you will need to contact an Arizona Disorderly Conduct Attorney, or Arizona Criminal Lawyer who frequently defends disorderly conduct charges.

"Disorderly conduct" or "disturbing the peace" is a common Arizona Criminal charges. It's used by police broadly to charge or arrest of any type disruptive behavior. It does not sound fair, but the truth of the matter is that the police will often charge or arrest someone for disorderly conduct, if they are irritated with you or they can't find anything else with which to charge you. It is subjective in nature, any many times overstated, making them easy to challenge by an experienced Arizona Disorderly conduct Attorney.

Common disorderly conduct charges result from loud music, disruptive parties, shouting at or arguing with another person (s) in public, or other behaviors that make others in the vicinity feel fearful, upset, or extremely discontented, due to your actions. However, the circumstances can dictate how severe the charges and penalties will be if convicted.

There are a number of circumstances that may warrant a disorderly conduct charge:
• engaging in fighting or seriously disruptive behavior
• making "unreasonable" noise
• using abusive or offensive language to try and provoke someone
• making a commotion to disrupt business
• refusing to leave an area as directed by officials (for instance: the scene of a fire or emergency)
• recklessly handling or displaying a firearm. Any of these must be done with intent to disturb the peace of a neighborhood, family, or persons.

Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in Arizona
In most situations, disorderly conduct is a class 1 misdemeanor. Class 1 misdemeanors are the highest level of misdemeanor in the State of Arizona. They carry a potential of up to 6 months in prison and fines of $2,500. But if the charges involving a firearm, it is considered a class 6 felony.

Felony disorderly conduct carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison. Such a conviction will give you a criminal record as a felon, and is something

13-2904. Disorderly conduct; classification
A. A person commits disorderly conduct if, with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person, or with knowledge of doing so, such person:

1. Engages in fighting, violent or seriously disruptive behavior; or

2. Makes unreasonable noise; or

3. Uses abusive or offensive language or gestures to any person present in a manner likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation by such person; or

4. Makes any protracted commotion, utterance or display with the intent to prevent the transaction of the business of a lawful meeting, gathering or procession; or

5. Refuses to obey a lawful order to disperse issued to maintain public safety in dangerous proximity to a fire, a hazard or any other emergency; or

6. Recklessly handles, displays or discharges a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument.

B. Disorderly conduct under subsection A, paragraph 6 is a class 6 felony. Disorderly conduct under subsection A, paragraph 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 is a class 1 misdemeanor.
If you have been charged with a disorderly conduct charge in Arizona, your best chance to fight these charges and win is to hire an Arizona Disorderly Conduct Attorney. They will gather the evidence and examine it to determine what will be the best defenses to use in your particular set of circumstances that will get you the best outcome in your case.

If you have been charged with any Tempe, Arizona Domestic Violence, Disorderly Conduct, Disturbing the Peace charges, Domestic Violence, Assault, Aggravated felony assault, DUI, Extreme DUI, Repeat Offense DUI, Under age 21 DUI, DUI with child under 15 in vehicle, Aggravated Felony DUI, Drug, Felony Drug, Dangerous Drug, Narcotics, Marijuana, any Tempe, Arizona DUI, Tempe, Arizona Drug DUI, or any other criminal charge including theft, domestic violence, drugs crimes, probation violations, robbery, computer crimes, ID theft crimes, or any other criminal charges contact the Law Office of James Novak, for your Free Consultation at (480) 413-1499. Speak directly with experienced Arizona Criminal Defense and DUI Defense Attorney and James Novak (Former Prosecutor).