Disorderly Conduct Charge in Summit New Jersey
The police in Summit New Jersey do not hesitate to file a disorderly conduct charge when someone disturbs public peace and order. If you were charged with disorderly conduct in Summit, you need to take this offense seriously. Failure to successfully defend your Summit disorderly conduct offense will result in a criminal record and other consequences that can derail your future. Retaining a lawyer with the tools to thoroughly defend your interests is instrumental in giving yourself the best opportunity to escape a conviction.
Knowledgeable Lawyers To Defend Your Summit Disorderly Conduct Charge
The lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall are highly knowledgeable in defending a disorderly conduct charge in Summit and elsewhere in Union County. The staff in our Union NJ Office includes several attorneys that are former prosecutors and a team of litigators with over a century of experience. An attorney who knows what it takes to avoid a guilty finding is ready to review the facts of your case and undertake a learned defense of your Summit disorderly conduct charge. Call us at 908-272-1700 to speak to an attorney immediately.
Summit Disorderly Conduct Offense
Every Summit disorderly conduct offense arises out of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 which sets forth three ways in which this violation may be committed. Two of these scenarios stem from improper behavior and the third variety involves use of offensive language. Conduct that is intended to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creates such a situation, constitutes disorderly conduct when it involves: (1) fighting, threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior; or (2) hazardous or physically dangerous conduct that serves no legitimate purpose. In order for offensive language to result in a violation of 2C:33-2b, it must be: (1) in a public place; (2) with purpose to offend or in reckless disregard of the probability that someone would be offended; and (3) is either unreasonably loud and offensively coarse, or abusive in nature.
Disorderly conduct is a petty disorderly persons offense that falls squarely under the jurisdiction of the Summit Municipal Court. The penalties that may be imposed by the municipal court judge in Summit include a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, probation, community service, counseling and/or a driver’s license suspension. A conviction for simple assault in Summit Municipal Court also results in a criminal record that cannot be expunged for a minimum of 5 years.
A diversionary program that permits you to avoid prosecution in Summit NJ for disorderly conduct is conditional dismissal. The program is reserved to first time offenders and requires that the a defendant complete a period of probation. Successful completion of conditional dismissal negates a criminal record and the penalties for disorderly conduct.
Summit Disorderly Conduct Defense Attorney
If you are facing disorderly conduct in Summit Municipal Court, a defense attorney on our staff is equipped to thoroughly defend your interests. We have handled hundreds of disorderly conduct charges over the last several decades and certainly know what is necessary to secure an acquittal. To discuss your case with one of the lawyers at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, your are invited to contact us anytime 24/7. A lawyer is ready at 908-272-1700 to assist you immediately. Attorneys in our Union NJ Office are available now to review your case in detail.