Birmingham Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

In addition to the wide ranges of offenses covered by disorderly conduct, there is also no significant evidence required in order for an individual to be charged with disorderly conduct. A seasoned and experienced criminal defense attorney like the legal counsel at Alabama Criminal Lawyers can help clients present the best possible defense to a disorderly conduct charge.

What Constitutes A Disorderly Conduct Charge

Disorderly conduct charges can take a variety of forms, which include but are certainly not limited to the following types of offenses: disrupting an assembly or meeting without lawful authority, fighting in public, loitering, making obscene gestures or noises in public, making an unreasonable amount of noise, obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, obstructing a transportation facility, harassment, public intoxication, refusing to follow a lawful order to disperse that is issue by law enforcement, starting or inciting a riot, taking violent actions, and use of abusive or offensive language in public.

Penalties For Disorderly Conduct In Shelby County

In Alabama, disorderly conduct charges frequently fall into the classification of a Class C misdemeanor.

Subsequently, individuals who are charged with disorderly conduct can end up facing either a substantial amount of time of up to three months in prison or up to five hundred dollars in fines. The exact punishments that result from a disorderly conduct charge depend greatly upon an individual’s criminal record at the time the charge is made and the judge’s history.

Many individuals charged with disorderly conduct find that an experienced attorney can help clients receive the lightest punishment possible. Sometimes, an attorney can even assist in helping an individual to drop charges altogether.

Advice For Individuals Faced With A Disorderly Conduct Charge

There are a few steps that individuals who are faced with a disorderly conduct charge can take to make sure that a situation reaches the best possible resolution. These steps include:

Remaining Calm And Respectful. By maintaining a calm and respectful attitude when responding to police who are investigating a disorderly conduct charge, individuals can reach the best potential resolution. Police officers will make notes regarding an individual’s attitude and demeanor when a disorderly conduct charge is made, which can greatly influence how an individual’s case proceeds. Individuals should do their best to stay composed and respectful when dealing with law enforcement in this type of situation.
Give Serious Thought To Apologizing To The Wronged Party. Disorderly conduct charges frequently include victims who are on the side of the charge and often reported the activity in question. The perspective of this individual is frequently used in determining how to punish disorderly conduct charges. An apology, however, can be used to smooth things over with any other individuals in a disorderly conduct claim.
Hire An Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer. One of the best and most effective ways for an individual to respond to a disorderly conduct claim is to retain the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Loitering Charges in Birmingham

Most people have a general idea of what loitering is. Individuals in the state of Alabama who have been charged with sex offenses particularly need to understand what types of loitering are prohibited by the law because a violation of these codes can result in significant penalties. The state of Alabama has also recently updates laws regarding loitering so individuals need to make sure they are up to date with these changes.

Applicable Alabama Law

Law in the state of Alabama makes it a crime for individuals to loiter in certain areas. Individuals should understand exactly what is prohibited by these laws.

Authorized Person. An individual does not violate loitering law unless the individual has first been asked to leave the location by a person authorized to exclude the individual from the location. An authorized person can include any law enforcement officer, a coach, an owner or manager of the premises, a principal, security officer, a school bus driver, a teacher, or any person designated with the authority.
Restricted Areas. Individuals who have been labeled as sex offenders are prohibited from loitering within 500 feet of the property line of any athletic field or facility, child care facility, college, park, playground, school bus stop, university, or any other facility that has the principal purpose of assisting minors. For the purposes of this law, a school bus stop is any location where a motor vehicle that transports children to and from school stops.
What Constitutes Loitering? Loitering refers to entering or remaining on property even though an individual has no legitimate purpose for being there. Loitering can also include individuals who remain on property beyond the time that is necessary to fulfill that purpose.
Penalties

Violations of these loitering laws are treated as a Class C felony in the state of Alabama. A Class C felony is penalized with no less than one year and one day and no more than ten years in prison. Individuals can also face a fine up to fifteen thousand dollars. For individuals who are repeat offenders, the resulting penalties can be even more severe.

Defending A Loitering Charge

The state must prove that an individual was on the premise, was warned to leave, and remained. As a result of this requirement of proof, individuals who are charged with loitering in this context are often able to claim that the state has failed to present an ample amount of evidence to satisfy a loitering conviction.

Contact Alabama Criminal Lawyers

Contact Alabama Criminal Lawyers today at (205) 981-2450 for a free consultation.

Can I Go to Jail for Disorderly Conduct?

The short answer is maybe. The penalties someone faces will greatly depend on the situation and an individual’s criminal record. However, disorderly conduct can lead to up three months in custody or up to five hundred dollars in fines.

What if I was Defending Myself?

Many physical altercations end in disorderly conduct charges, especially if the police cannot get a clear idea of who is legally responsible. In these cases, the officers charge everyone involved. if you were legitimately defending yourself, you should discuss this with your attorney and present an affirmative defense.

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Disorderly Conduct Charge?

You should tale any criminal charge seriously because as a misdemeanor, disorderly conduct will still appear on background checks even if you avoid time in custody or serious fines. It is important to discuss all your options with an experienced attorney.