Lawrence NJ Disorderly Conduct Lawyer
Charged With Disorderly Conduct in Lawrence Township
There are significantly more opportunities for issuance of disorderly conduct charges in Lawrence New Jersey than most municipalities in Mercer County because of the presence of Quakerbridge Mall and Rider University. If you have been charged with disorderly conduct in Lawrence Township, do not make the mistake of assuming that this offense is inconsequential. A conviction for disorderly conduct in Lawrence Municipal Court will result in a criminal record, not to mention penalties that include the possibility of incarceration. Proceeding with your case without the assistance of a skilled lawyer is therefore inadvisable. The team of criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have been appearing in the township on behalf of individuals arrested for a disorderly persons offense for decades with a long history of success stories. To speak to an attorney with the knowledge to effectively defend your charge, contact our Lawrence Office today. Lawyers are available 24/7 at 609–683–8102 for free consultation.
Lawrence Disorderly Conduct Offense
A Lawrence offense for disorderly conduct arises out of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2. This law makes it a disorderly persons offense to engage in either improper behavior or to use offensive language. The particulars of way a violation occurs are as follows:
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.
Jurisdiction to decide a charge for disorderly conduct lies with the Lawrence Municipal Court. You will not, however, have the benefit of a jury in this venue. All issues of guilt or innocence are decided by the municipal court judge in Lawrence Township.
If you fail to successfully defend your case, you will face penalties for a petty disorderly persons offense including a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in the county jail. A conviction will also result in a criminal record that can effect your future.
First time offenders facing a Lawrence disorderly conduct offense can apply for conditional dismissal of the charge. This program allows a defendant to avoid prosecution, penalties and a record by successfully completing a period of probation.
Lawrence Township Disorderly Conduct Defense Attorney
Lawrence Township has more than its share of disorderly conduct charges. If you were arrested for violating 2C:33-2, you need to hire a savvy defense attorney so you have every opportunity to escape the consequences of a guilty finding. The attorneys in the Lawrence Office of our firm are capable of providing this level of service. We are former prosecutors and skilled lawyers that have been defending charges in Lawrence and other municipalities in Mercer County for many years. To speak to a lawyer in a free consultation now, call 609–683–8102.