A Former Prosecutor in Our Wayne Office Is Ready To Assist You

It is hard to imagine that a heated argument with another parent at a soccer game, a conflict with a neighbor, or any number of other scenarios can result in someone being charged with a criminal offense for disorderly conduct. The truth is, however, that the language of the disorderly conduct law allows the Wayne Police or even a private citizen to file this offense under a broad number of circumstances. While the law is frequently used in situations when the police are trying to control the public, allegations of a breach of peace and order can arise in far more instances. The important thing to keep in mind if you were arrested for disorderly conduct in Wayne is a skilled defense attorney can provide you with the best chance of avoiding a criminal record and penalties.

We are the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, one of the largest criminal firms in the state, and have the attributes you need to successfully defend a Wayne NJ disorderly conduct charge. We can offer you:

Over 200 Years of Combined Experience defending disorderly conduct charges in Wayne Municipal Court
Former municipal and county prosecutors
Certified criminal trial attorneys
Office located in Wayne New Jersey

For a free initial consultation with a lawyer on our team, call our Wayne Office at 862-203-4070.

Wayne, New Jersey Disorderly Conduct Offense

Disorderly conduct is broadly defined in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 to allow its use in a wide-range of situations in which a person uses offensive language or engages in improper behavior in a public place. Prohibited language or conduct includes the following:

 Engaging in violent or tumultuous conduct

 Using loud, course or abusive language

 Fighting

 Threatening

 Creating a hazardous or dangerous condition serving no lawful or legitimate purpose

Equally as broad as the definition of the crime of disorderly conduct is the classification of what the law defines as a public place. The list of public places contained in N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 includes most locations in Wayne outside of your home, including:

 Roads and highways

 Schools

 Apartment buildings

 Prisons

 Neighborhoods

 Businesses

 Amusement parks

 Train stations, bus terminals and other transportation facilities

The broad scope of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 makes it a frequently used method by police to control the behavior of people engaging in lawful activities. For example, if you attend a public meeting of the Wayne Township Council to speak in opposition to a local ordinance, you could be removed from the meeting by police for raising your voice or using language someone claimed was course or abusive.

Police and prosecutors rely upon evidence supporting their version of the events, so our Wayne NJ criminal lawyers develop defense strategies designed to tell your side of the story. This is accomplished by gathering evidence to support your version of the events and challenging the truth and accuracy of government witnesses and evidence.

Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in Wayne NJ

Disorderly conduct is a petty disorderly person offense that falls under the jurisdiction of the Wayne Municipal Court. The terminology New Jersey uses to classify criminal offenses often creates confusion since classic terms like misdemeanor or felony are not used. Nonetheless, a disorderly persons offense is akin to a misdemeanor although a conviction gives you a permanent criminal record. It will show up in background checks and will force you to answer “yes” on job applications asking about criminal convictions.

A criminal record is not the only consequence of a disorderly conduct conviction. Municipal court judges have an array of punishments they may impose at sentencing, including:

 Up to 30 days in the Passaic County Jail

 Fines

 Community service

 Mandatory counseling

 Driver’s license suspension

 Probation

 Restitution

Wayne Disorderly Conduct Defense Attorneys

The best protection against the penalties and criminal record associated with a Wayne disorderly conduct conviction is to hire an experienced criminal lawyer who is highly familiar with the court system in Wayne New Jersey. The criminal defense team at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have what you need and will utilize the most thorough and effective strategy for averting a conviction. An attorney is available to speak with you in a free consultation simply by calling us at (732) 450-8300 at anytime of the day or night.