Maintaining public order and safety by controlling behavior and conduct is a core principle behind the disorderly conduct law in New Jersey. Police officers throughout Middlesex County, including in North Brunswick, routinely file this charge when someone is allegedly obnoxious, offensive or potentially dangerous to others.
The broad and somewhat vague language used to define disorderly conduct provides great latitude for use of the offense. If may have learned this first hand if you were charged with disorderly conduct in North Brunswick New Jersey.
You want to secure the services of an experienced lawyer to defend your disorderly conduct since the penalties for this violation are much more serious than you probably know. Someone convicted of disorderly conduct in North Brunswick Municipal can actually be sent to jail on top of having a criminal record.
The members of the defense team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are seasoned lawyers with decades practicing in North Brunswick. In fact, one of the attorneys on our staff is a former prosecutor in the municipality.
A criminal attorney with the skills to secure a downgrade or dismissal of your charge is ready to assist you in a free consultation 24/7. Contact our New Brunswick Office at (732) 246-7126 to discuss your case with a highly knowledgeable lawyer.
Disorderly Conduct Charge in North Brunswick
Yelling during an argument in a public place and failing to disperse following a demand are only two examples situations that can lead to your arrest for committing disorderly conduct in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2. The New Jersey statute targets improper language and improper behavior in public, including:
- Violent or tumultuous conduct
- Loud, course or abusive language
- Fighting
- Threatening language or conduct
- Language offending another person’s sensibilities
- Conduct serving no lawful or legitimate purpose that creates a hazardous or dangerous condition
A public place is defined under 2C:33-2 as any location offering access like roads and highways, schools, apartment buildings, prisons, neighborhoods, businesses, amusement parks, train stations, bus terminals and other transportation facilities
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in North Brunswick
Disorderly conduct cases are handled in North Brunswick Municipal Court as petty disorderly persons offenses. The seriousness of the charge can be deceiving because New Jersey does not refer to a criminal offense as a misdemeanor or a felony as is customary in other states, but a disorderly conduct conviction is the equivalent of a misdemeanor.
Judges have an array of penalties from which to choose when sentencing you following a conviction of a disorderly conduct as a petty disorderly persons offense, including any one or a combination of the following:
- Up to 30 days in jail
- Community service
- Counseling
- Driver’s license suspension
- Probation
- Restitution where appropriate
North Brunswick Disorderly Conduct Defense Attorney
When facing North Brunswick disorderly conduct charges, you want an attorney at your side with years of experience defending people under similar circumstances in North Brunswick Municipal Court. The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall possess extensive knowledge of the law, proven courtroom skills and resourcefulness to aggressively defending you. William Wachowski of our office is even a former North Brunswick prosecutor. Our lawyers are dedicated advocates who are committed to the pursuit of all possible defenses based upon the facts and evidence, including your right to the exercise of freedom of speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Call us at (732) 246-7126 to discuss your case with a savvy lawyer now.
