North Brunswick Disorderly Conduct Attorney
As a result of the population and commuter location, North Brunswick sees its fair share of disorderly conduct charges in accordance with N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2. Disorderly conduct applies to a broad set of circumstances, encompassing acts of improper behavior or offensive language that occur in a public setting. Arguably, the variability of applications when dealing with these charges means they are often unfairly and wrongfully filed against a person who had no intention of committing an offense. If you have been charged with disorderly conduct in North Brunswick, do not simply throw in the towel and plead guilty. Instead, be armed with knowledge before you go to court and talk to one of our highly experienced North Brunswick criminal defense lawyers at William Proetta Criminal Law. You may not know it now, but your case may be one where the charge cannot be sustained and should be dismissed. Contact our law office at (732) 659-9600 for a free consultation and continue reading about disorderly conduct charges arising out of North Brunswick.
Charged with Disorderly Conduct in North Brunswick NJ
The acts alleged as part of a disorderly conduct charge are generally considered undesirable and offensive to others who are present. Essentially, it is an attack on public order, peace, and enjoyment. Notably, disorderly conduct can only be alleged if it occurs in public. Public places include anywhere that is open to the general population and places to which they have access, including roads and highways, schools, malls, movie theaters, and any number of other parts of our daily lives. North Brunswick is centrally located in the Raritan Valley Region of Middlesex County. Surrounded by neighboring towns such as South Brunswick, East Brunswick, Milltown, and Franklin Township, North Brunswick is a popular place to live. The town provides easy access to the nearby New York City, as well as Rutgers University and multiple hospitals and healthcare facilities situated in its sister city of New Brunswick. Bearing this in mind, North Brunswick has any number of places where disorderly conduct can occur. Attending events with crowds such as Heritage Day in Babbage Park or the popular Carnevale Italiano, or being in a public location with less activity like Farrington Lake or North Brunswick Community Park, are all situations in which disorderly conduct charges can arise.
Filing vs. Proving a North Brunswick Disorderly Conduct Charge
Often, a disorderly conduct charge is filed simply because there is no other criminal offense that may fit the circumstances. Basically, it is the only case that can be made against you. Situations arise in which police make threats to arrest a person if they do not submit to commands and cease the disturbing conduct. When push comes to shove, if the accused continues to act in a manner inconsistent with public order, there is nothing to charge except to charge you with N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 for disorderly conduct. Charging you with disorderly conduct may solve the temporary problem that police perceive to be an issue (controlling a situation or restoring public order. However, simply charging you with an offense does not not mean that you will be convicted. The state must prove certain facts before a conviction or finding of guilt can be made. This may not be as easy as it sounds.
The law on disorderly conduct in New Jersey authorizes the police to file criminal charges if you or someone else allegedly committed disorderly conduct by:
- Engaging in behavior that is threatening or violent, or
- Creating a dangerous situation, or
- Using foul language in proximity to a hearer
For the state to prove you guilty of disorderly conduct, the prosecutor must show that you purposely created “inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm” in public or that you recklessly created that result or situation. They may also sustain the charge by proving your utilization of obscene or offensive language, no matter how commonplace it may be. While the police can say almost anything in their reports, your real intentions or lack thereof can be shown and assessed through the surrounding circumstances. Witnesses can be subpoenaed to testify about the content of the situation. If applicable to the scenario, our lawyers can use the testimony to show the court that you lacked the mental element needed for a finding of guilt.
What do you get for Disorderly Conduct Charges in North Brunswick NJ?
The potential penalties for a North Brunswick disorderly conduct charge can appear extreme on the face of it. Believe it or not, the law allows a defendant to be sentenced to 30 days in the Middlesex County Jail and to pay a $500 fine for the commission of this, or another petty disorderly persons offense. Until you file a petition for expungement, this offense will show up on your criminal history. Any criminal history can be viewed negatively by those who have not been through this experience or who really do not care to make allowances for your behavior. But before any sentencing may occur, you are entitled to the most zealous and well-argued defense in North Brunswick Municipal Court.
North Brunswick Disorderly Conduct Defense Attorney – Call Now
Having a seasoned North Brunswick criminal defense lawyer at the ready to handle your defense positions you for a more favorable outcome in the face of disorderly conduct charges. Applying the law to the facts of the case, and making it clearer for the judge to see what really happened and just what your true intention was, can result in any number of positive resolutions, including a dismissal. We can also explain the circumstances to the prosecutor in advance and provide such documents and credible evidence to support your version of events. Sometimes this discussion proves useful and resolves the case without need for a trial, while other options like a carry order, or fully litigating the case based on its merits, are just a few potential ways to get the outcome you seek. With decades of combined experience handling disorderly conduct cases in North Brunswick and throughout Middlesex County, our criminal defense attorneys can be of assistance to you when you need it most. Contacting us is easy. Just call (732) 659-9600 or request your free consultation online.