Phoenix DUI Lawyer Blog

15 Defenses That Can be Used to Beat Your Disorderly Conduct Charges

It is important to contact a Phoenix Disorderly Conduct defense attorney if you face Phoenix Disorderly Conduct, or an Arizona Criminal Attorney who frequently defends
Phoenix Disorderly Conduct Charges.

"Disorderly conduct" is also known as "disturbing the peace" and is a very common Phoenix Arizona criminal charge in Phoenix. Police sometimes overuse it. Often it is used as a "catch all" charge. Generally, it is used if the police officer can not find a more appropriate charge for what they feel has been annoying or disruptive behavior. It is a very subjective charge so it can be fundamentally challenged by a good Criminal Defense Attorney who practices in Phoenix, Arizona.

Many different circumstances can warrant the police to issue disorderly conduct charges for what Arizona sees as a crime committed under the following circumstances (this list is not exhaustive):
• Engaging in physical violence
• Offensive speech to other person (s)
• Playing music too loud a party
• Disruptive or loud celebrations
• Engaging in a fight or combative activity with another
• Making any other type of "unreasonable" noise which disturbs others
• Making disturbance by shouting or use of profanity in public
• Provoking another person into an altercation
• Behavior that disrupts or interferes with a business or it's customers
• Refusal to depart from a scene or location, where you were asked to leave by civil authorities such firefighters or other emergency crews.
• Recklessly displaying or waving a firearm, which frightens others.
• Being disrespectful, or disobedient to a Police Officer, or other law enforcement.

The formal description of Disorderly Conduct is found in "Arizona Criminal Code "A.R.S. 13-2904. Disorderly conduct; classification"

Disorderly Conduct charges can be charges as 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. If the Phoenix Disorderly conduct charges involve firearm, they will be charges as a class 6 felony charges. Felony disorderly conduct carry maximum sentencing penalties that include, one year in prison, and a felony criminal record, counseling, loss of right to bear firearms, probation, and other fees. The severity of the penalty depends on the circumstances of situation, whether or not a weapon was involved, if it was a repeat offense, and other factors.

What a Phoenix Disorderly Conduct Attorney can do for You.
A good Phoenix Disorderly Conduct Attorney with gather, and examine all evidence. They will build and mount the best defense case that will challenge the prosecution head on. The police and prosecution have the burden of proving that the charges were well founded and justified. Your Phoenix Criminal Defense Attorney will make sure your constitutional rights were not violated during the events, arrest and thereafter. They will evaluate probable cause, justifiability of your actions, and formulate a defense based on these factors. Here are 15 defenses that can be used to beat your Phoenix Disorderly Conduct charges. This list is not exhaustive:

1) You were protecting a loved one
2) You were not the one causing the disturbance
3) There were no other witnesses, no evidence, no proof, no reports by the public of disturbing behavior on your part
4) The police officer's behavior was provocative, threatening, or intimidating
5) The police were mistreating you or a loved one and you acted appropriately and not disrespectful according to witnesses, video, or voice recording
6) Police brutality against you
7) The police officer simply did not like you, or the way you responded, and had nothing else to charge you with
8) Your responses were constitutionally protected in the right to "free speech". You were not using so called "fighting words" that would provoke physical retaliation, nor was your tone inappropriate.
9) The police accused you of having "an attitude" against him. However, the police will be forced to testify that he or she is not familiar with your normal personality characteristics and your typical facial expressions, sound of your voice, or attitude in a perfectly normal situation.
10) Your actions were in self-defense
11) Your Constitutional Rights were violated.
12) Objective and credible witness statements contradict what the police accused you of saying or doing, and there is not other evidence to dispute the witness statements.
13) The police officer has a history of disciplinary actions due to abusive or bullying behavior. In contrast, you have no criminal records, no history of being in trouble, or being disrespectful in public, and no cause or evidence exists of such.
14) You were reported as being in a physical fight with another person, but witnesses testify that the other party started a fight, that you did not provoke in any way. Further, you had no alternative but to protect yourself, and subdue the offensive.
15) Your actions were not committed "with intent to disturb the peace or quiet of a neighborhood, family or person or with knowledge of doing so..." as required by A.R.S.
13-2904. Disorderly conduct; classification"

If you face disorderly conduct charges in Phoenix Arizona, it is best that you contact an experienced Phoenix criminal attorney or Phoenix Disorderly Conduct Attorney. Too much is on the line. An experienced disorderly conduct attorney or good Phoenix criminal attorney often can get these cases completely dismissed, given the subjective nature of disorderly conduct charges.

If you have been charged with any Phoenix 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 Phoenix Arizona Criminal Defense and DUI Defense Attorney and James Novak (Former Prosecutor).