Title: Disorderly Conduct Charges - HG.org
Headings: Disorderly Conduct Charges
Disorderly Conduct Charges
Explanation of Disorderly Conduct Charges
Examples of Disorderly Conduct
Question on Free Speech
Consequences of Disorderly Conduct
Charges in Error
Legal Assistance

Content: Consequences of Disorderly Conduct
In most locations, disorderly conduct is considered a misdemeanor offense. Misdemeanors are considered to be less serious than a felony crime. However, a misdemeanor crime can still carry significant criminal consequences such as up to one year in jail. Other possible criminal consequences include having to pay a fine of several hundreds dollars, being placed on probation or having a criminal record that can follow the defendant around for the rest of his or her life. In other jurisdictions, disorderly conduct is considered a municipal violation and is treated similarly to a traffic ticket. Charges in Error
In some cases, a person may himself or herself charged with this offense. He or she may be targeted by the police due to racial or personal bias. The defendant may have been at the wrong place at the wrong time or simply an onlooker of some type of drama. In other situations, a person is “guilty by association” by being around friends who may be acting unruly while not doing anything legally wrong at the time of his or her own arrest. If friends are disorderly, the police may simply arrest all parties in the area, expect a quick plea and move on with their own lives without any real concern for the individuals who are wrongly arrested.