New Jersey Disorderly Person Defense Attorney

There are many types of criminal/quasi-criminal offenses that are charged as a disorderly person.  Even though this designation is less serious than a crime (felony offense), it is a serious matter.  A disorderly person (misdemeanor) conviction can have heavy consequences, and in some cases the penalty includes up to 6 months in jail.  A half a year spent incarcerated is a life-changing situation, and if you have been arrested and charged with a disorderly person (misdemeanor) offense, it is strongly advised that you contact a New Jersey Disorderly defense lawyer to protect your rights.  When an individual goes to court on any NJ disorderly conduct misdemeanor offense, it is difficult to predict what the judge will decide about your fate.  In some cases, the maximum sentence may be decided by the court.  This can be based on earlier convictions, extenuating circumstances or even just a "bad day".  Never take chances with disorderly persons (misdemeanor) charges, no matter how minor they may appear.  Some of the types of common offenses that could be charged as disorderly persons (misdemeanor) include:

• Shoplifting
• Petty theft
• Harassment
• Trespassing
• Criminal mischief
• Disorderly Conduct
• Possession of small amounts of marijuana or paraphernalia

New Jersey Defense Lawyer in Bergen/Hudson

One of the most commonly charged disorderly persons offenses is N.J.S. 2C:33-2.

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

(1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or

(2) 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.

Contact Rafael Gomez to defend you against charges of Disorderly Conduct or other Disorderly Persons offenses in Bergen, Hudson, Passaic or Essex County New Jersey by calling (201) 646-9799