The disorderly conduct law is written to capture a broad spectrum of conduct that disturbs public peace in Old Bridge and other communities in the state. You can be charged with this petty disorderly persons offense if you engage in improper conduct or use offense language in public. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are seasoned litigators with over a century of experience defending an array of offenses in Old Bridge Municipal Court, including disorderly conduct. If you were arrested and/or charged with disorderly conduct in Old Bridge Township, our firm is definitely well equipped to provide an effective defense. Lawyers on our staff are available 24/7 to provide a comprehensive case review. An attorney is available to assist you immediately at 732-227-1200.
Disorderly Conduct Offense in Old Bridge New Jersey
A disorderly conduct offense arises out of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2. This statute provides that:
Section: 2C:33-2: Disorderly conduct
a. Improper behavior. A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he
- Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or
- Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
b. Offensive language. A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense if, in a public place, and with purpose to offend the sensibilities of a hearer or in reckless disregard of the probability of so doing, he addresses unreasonably loud and offensively coarse or abusive language, given the circumstances of the person present and the setting of the utterance, to any person present.
“Public” means affecting or likely to affect persons in a place to which the public or a substantial group has access; among the places included are highways, transport facilities, schools, prisons, apartment houses, places of business or amusement, or any neighborhood.
Elements of Offense. When a disorderly conduct offense is the result of improper conduct, there are two elements which the municipal prosecutor in Old Bridge must establish beyond reasonable doubt to prove this charge. First, they must prove that the accused actor intended to cause or recklessly created a risk of public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm. The second thing that must be established is that the actor engaged in fighting, threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior or, alternatively, that the defendant created a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which served no legitimate purpose.
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct. As previously stated, disorderly conduct is a petty disorderly persons offense. The penalties that may be imposed by the judge of the Old Bridge Municipal Court include:
- Fine of up to $500
- VCCO Assessment of $50
- Safe Neighborhood Assessment of $75
- Court Costs of $33
- County Jail of up to 30 days
- Restitution
- Probation
- Driver’s License Suspension
Old Bridge Disorderly Conduct Defense Lawyer
Hiring the right Old Bridge Criminal Lawyer to defend your disorderly conduct charge is crucial if you want the best opportunity to avert a conviction. An attorney who has considerable experience appearing in Old Bridge and defending this type of offense is going to provide you with the greatest opportunity for a positive outcome. This is precisely what the team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall can provide on your behalf. Call our office now to speak to one of our attorneys in a free consultation.
