Disorderly Conduct
Many people have heard of disorderly conduct and use it as a catchphrase to cover several activities. However, disorderly conduct is particular to time and location. For example, a person yelling at night in a residential area can be found liable for disorderly conduct; however, an individual doing the same thing in a busy setting during the afternoon will not be charged with disorderly conduct.
Under Ohio law, disorderly conduct occurs when a person recklessly causes an inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to another by engaging in several enumerated things.
Disorderly conduct charges may lead to unnecessary punishment; therefore, it is important that you understand the laws that govern disorderly conduct and understand your options for fighting the charge and moving through the process in an efficient and timely manner.
As a result, your first step should be speaking with a criminal defense attorney to figure out where you stand and what can be done about the pending criminal charge.
Cincinnati Disorderly Conduct Attorney
Disorderly conduct allegations are inconvenient and may follow you for the rest of your life if they are not dealt with properly. Working with a qualified Cincinnati attorney will help to see that the situation is not handled wrongly.
Brian Joslyn of Joslyn Criminal Defense Law Firm is an experienced attorney who will defend you zealously. He is focused on protecting the rights of his clients while implementing a studied and effective defense strategy to fight the allegations.
Contact us by calling (513) 399-6289 or online to set up a free and confidential consultation to discuss the specifics of your case today.
Information Center
- Disorderly Conduct Under Cincinnati Law
- Disorderly Conduct As A Fourth Degree Misdemeanor Under Cincinnati Law
Disorderly Conduct Under Cincinnati Law
According to Ohio law, as discussed above, no person may recklessly cause an inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to others by doing the following:
- Engaging in fighting that may harm a person or property, or in a violent or turbulent manner;
- Making unreasonable noise or offensive utterances, gestures, or displays or communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language to a person;
- Insulting, taunting, or challenging another under circumstances that will likely provoke a violent response;
- Hindering or preventing the movement of a person on a public street, or upon public or private property, as interfering with the rights of others, and by any act that serves no lawful and reasonable purpose of the offender;
- Creating a condition that is physically offensive to persons or presents a risk of physical harm to a person or property.
Ohio law also covers voluntary intoxication, meaning no person may do the following while voluntarily intoxicated, or they may be charged with disorderly conduct.
- In a public place or in the presence of two or more persons, engage in conduct likely to be considered disorderly conduct as described above;
- Engage in conduct or create a condition that presents a risk of physical harm to another or the property of another.
Generally, disorderly conduct is a minor misdemeanor, with a presumptive sanction of up to $150 in fines.
Disorderly Conduct As A Fourth Degree Misdemeanor Under Cincinnati Law
A misdemeanor in the fourth degree comes with a presumptive sentence of up to 30 days in jail or a fine of up to $250, or both. A fourth-degree misdemeanor charge can result if any of the following apply:
- The offender persists in disorderly conduct after being warned.
- The offense is committed in the vicinity of a school or a school safety zone.
- The offense is committed in the presence of any law enforcement officer, firefighter, medical personnel, or other authorized persons who are engaged in duties at the scene of a fire, accident, disaster, riot, or another emergency.
- The offense is committed in the presence of any emergency facility person who is engaged in the person’s duties in an emergency facility.
Joslyn Criminal Defense Law Firm │ Hamilton County Disorderly Conduct Arrest Lawyer
If you or a loved one is dealing with a disorderly conduct charge, take steps to ensure that it does not follow you for the rest of your life. Contact Joslyn Criminal Defense Law Firm by (513) 399-6289 or online to schedule a risk-free confidential consultation with attorney Brian Joslyn.