Disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct cases are usually either misdemeanor charges or infractions, but neither looks good on your criminal record. While there’s no such thing as a way of avoiding a criminal charge every time, there are ways to increase your chances of possibly getting away with a warning or community service.

Each and every situation is different, but it won’t hurt if you attempt to be a reasonable person before things go too far. For example, if a bar owner asks you to leave, sometimes the easiest way out is the simplest; just apologize and be on your way. Even if it doesn’t seem fair.

Pressing the issue by refusing to leave, throwing a punch, or continuing to bother others is when a night out can turn into a criminal charge.

What constitutes either disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace varies from state to state. In general, they’re used to charge or cite people for being a public nuisance. This can mean public intoxication, noise ordinance violations, fighting, blasting loud music after being warned to turn it down, and other similar offenses. It can even apply to a dog that won’t stop barking, although the owner is the one who’ll have to pay any fines.

Disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace give law enforcement officers an option for an individual who is behaving badly in public and is a possible threat to escalate the tension level in a situation. With a minimal fine and jail time usually maxed out at 15 days or so, it can allow for the defusing of a potentially volatile encounter. It’s fine for people to let off a little steam and stress, but when those around them are uncomfortable or fear things turning in a bad direction, it provides a legal means of removing the aggressor from the scene.

The statutes are also useful when law enforcement doesn’t know who instigated a fight. Instead of assault charges, the parties involved face a misdemeanor while ceasing to engage in disruptive behavior. This will only happen in less serious cases, but a first-time violator of a disorderly conduct law may not find themselves being charged through the legal system.

If you find yourself facing the possibility of a criminal offense for either a disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct charge, keep in mind that the broad definitions of the statutes can work in your favor. If a charge of disorderly conduct is processed, it’s good idea to talk with a criminal defense attorney for needed legal advice and to discuss your options. Potential defense strategies to avoid a criminal record include contesting the charges or agreeing to community service if the charges are dropped.

If you do contest the charges, law enforcement will have to prove you were misbehaving with the intent to cause some sort of harm to others. Creating a public disturbance is a crime, but was what you were allegedly doing all that disruptive? Were you aware that what you were doing was a violation?

If fighting was involved, did the other person start it? Did they provoke you? Was your involvement entirely self-defense, and if so, did someone else witness it?

The exact defense will depend on the circumstances involved, so it’s a good idea to speak to a lawyer to discuss the best options for your case.If this happens, it means there is a court order that mandates your arrest and court appearance to face your unpaid citation.If you or a loved one is in a bind as a result of criminal allegations, immediately contact a Seattle Criminal Attorney. A Criminal lawyer is not going to judge you and understands that everyone makes mistakes. Hiring a Seattle Criminal Lawyer to help can – at a minimum – reduce penalties and can help direct people on how to best deal with their criminal charge, and many times even get them dismissed. So, it should go without saying that someone cited for a misdemeanor or felony should hire a qualified Seattle Criminal Lawyer as soon as possible. Criminal charges can cause havoc on a person’s personal and professional life. Anyone charged with a crime in Washington State should immediately seek the assistance of a seasoned Seattle Criminal Lawyer. SQ Attorneys can be reached at (425) 359-3791 and/or (206) 441-0900