What are the penalties for disorderly conduct in New Jersey?

What are the penalties for disorderly conduct in New Jersey?

Hey there! If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what exactly the penalties are for getting charged with disorderly conduct in New Jersey. I feel you – it’s definitely good to know what you might be facing if you end up getting in trouble. I’ll walk you through the basics here in plain English so you’ve got all the info you need.

First up: disorderly conduct falls under the category of a “petty disorderly persons offense” in NJ. That’s basically a minor crime that’s more serious than a traffic ticket but less serious than a felony. Still, even though it’s minor, a disorderly conduct conviction can hurt you in the long run.

So what penalties could you face?

• Up to 30 days in jail
• Fines up to $500
• Probation
• Community service
• Having a permanent criminal record

The maximum penalties would be 30 days in jail and a $500 fine. But your actual sentence depends on your specific situation – like your criminal history, the details of what happened, etc. Probation and community service are common too. And any conviction goes on your permanent criminal record, which can make things like jobs, loans, and housing tougher for years.

What kinds of behavior can lead to a disorderly conduct charge?

There’s a whole bunch of stuff that could potentially get you charged with disorderly conduct. Basically anything the cops think is “improper behavior” in public. Here are some examples:

• Getting into a fight
• Screaming and yelling at people
• Making threats
• Pushing, shoving, or getting physically aggressive
• Breaking stuff
• Saying offensive stuff or cursing
• Getting really drunk and rowdy in public
• Refusing to follow police orders

So yeah – pretty much any disruptive, dangerous, or super rude behavior in public places. Cops have a lot of discretion on what “counts.” And often disorderly conduct charges get tacked onto other charges like assault too.

How can you fight the charges?

If you do get slapped with a disorderly conduct charge, don’t just plead guilty and accept the penalties! Talk to a criminal defense lawyer about fighting the charges. An experienced attorney may be able to get the charges reduced or even dismissed. Here are some of the legal strategies they may use:

• Argue there wasn’t enough evidence you actually did anything illegal
• Claim you didn’t have the right criminal “intent” or mindset
• Argue your actions were justified and not improper
• Allege police misconduct or false charges
• Negotiate a plea deal for lighter penalties
• Get charges dismissed through a pre-trial intervention program

A good lawyer knows how to poke holes in the prosecutor’s case and negotiate with them to get charges dropped or reduced. That can help you avoid fines, jail time, and a criminal record. So don’t just plead guilty – fight back!

What if I’m convicted – can I get the charges expunged?

If you do end up getting convicted of disorderly conduct, you may be able to get your record expunged after a few years. Expungement is the process of sealing your criminal record so most people (employers, landlords, etc) can’t see it anymore. Rules vary, but in NJ you typically have to wait 5 years after your conviction to apply for disorderly conduct expungement^[1]. Talk to an expungement lawyer to understand the process and see if you’re eligible.

Key takeaways on disorderly conduct penalties

• It’s a minor criminal offense, but can still hurt you
• Up to 30 days jail and $500 fines are possible
• Many behaviors can lead to charges – fighting, yelling, acting disorderly, etc.
• Talk to a lawyer to fight the charges and avoid penalties
• Expungement may be an option a few years after conviction

Hopefully this gives you a better idea of what disorderly conduct means in NJ and what the penalties are. The key is don’t just plead guilty – talk to lawyer to protect your rights and avoid fines, jail time, and a criminal record. Good luck and stay out of trouble!