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Details of a Disorderly Conduct charge

On Behalf of | Sep 12, 2014 | Disorderly Conduct

Have you ever had a loud argument in the street? Or a verbal disagreement in a public setting that may have gotten out of hand? Of course, you probably have, we all have, but did you know you could have been arrested for it? People consider “disorderly conduct” to be nothing more than a minor charge, but it’s a criminal charge nonetheless and it should be taken very seriously. 

Studies have shown that a disorderly conduct charge is usually the first criminal charge most people ever face. A disorderly conduct conviction can place a permanent blemish on what used to be your clean criminal record. Having this mark on your record can impact your ability to gain employment, get into a good college or even buy/rent a home. 

Florida law states that “disorderly conduct” is conduct that creates a threat of safety to another person or to society. This means you can be arrested for simply raising your voice and using harsh language. It doesn’t necessarily need to involve you verbally threatening someone. 

Even though it’s a misdemeanor, you could face up to a year in jail and fines reaching $1,000, depending on the facts of the case. With the help of a skilled defense attorney, you can avoid jail time. Your attorney should able to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecutor that could greatly benefit you. 

Again, I understand that this doesn’t seem like the kind of legal situation you would ever get involved in. But remember this the next time you are out in public and you find yourself yelling at someone. The next thing you might be yelling for is a legal help.