Former Prosecutors With Over 200 Years of Experience Defending Disorderly Conduct Charges in Union City Municipal Court
The fact that you’re taking the time to read this probably means that either you or a family member has been charged with a New Jersey disorderly conduct offense in Union City and don’t know what to do next. Disorderly conduct is a serious criminal offense with penalties that may include 30 days in the Hudson County Correctional Center and serious long-term consequences that include a criminal record that can be seen by potential employers and anyone else with access to the internet. Defenses exist that may allow you to avoid a conviction, but it takes an experienced Union City disorderly conduct lawyer to know how to effectively present them to the court.
The criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall have more than 200 years of combined experience successfully representing individuals in Union City Municipal Court charged with disorderly conduct and other criminal offenses. All of them limit their practices to criminal defense, and many of them have first-hand insight into prosecution strategies and police investigative practices from having served as county and municipal prosecutors. Do not go to court without first speaking with one of our seasoned defense lawyers. Call us now at (201) 309-0500 where a Union City disorderly conduct lawyer is available 24 hours a day and seven days a week for a free consultation.
Union City, New Jersey Disorderly Conduct Offense
N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2(a) defines the offense of disorderly conduct as fighting or engaging in threatening, violent or tumultuous behavior. It also prohibits you from creating a dangerous or hazardous condition that serves no lawful or legitimate purpose. Police frequently charge someone with a disorderly conduct offense to restore public order as when a person becomes intoxicated and uses threatening language or behavior toward other spectators at a sporting event.
Obscene and vulgar language used in a public place may become the basis for a disorderly conduct charge under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2(b). However, police use of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2(b) to silence language alleged to be offensive may violate your rights under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Our attorneys gather and analyze evidence about all of the facts and circumstances of your disorderly conduct charge to identify defenses. We have found an aggressive defense strategy to be the most effective weapon against police use of N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 to stifle the legitimate exercise of your constitutional rights. Forcing the prosecution to meet its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, challenging the prosecution witnesses and other evidence, and using all defenses available to us gives you the best chance at avoiding a conviction.
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in Union City NJ
If you believe a disorderly conduct conviction is not a serious matter that calls for representation from an outstanding criminal defense lawyer, consider the penalties that a judge in Union City Municipal Court may impose for a conviction under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2:
- Confinement for as long as 30 days at Hudson County Correctional Center
- Maximum fine of $500
- Payment of court costs
- Court-ordered community service
- Satisfactory completion of a counseling program
- Suspension of your driver’s license
Completion of the sentence a judge imposes on you does not free you from the burden and consequences associated with a disorderly conduct conviction. The conviction remains a part of your criminal record and must be disclosed each time you fill out an employment application that asks about criminal convictions. Trying to conceal it will not work because the conviction will appear in background search most employers conduct before hiring someone.
Union City Disorderly Conduct Defense Attorney
An aggressive defense from a Union City disorderly conduct defense lawyer at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall offers you the best chance at avoiding the penalties and criminal record of a conviction. Our lawyers have the knowledge, skills and legal know-how to take full advantage of defenses to weaken the prosecution version of what took place. Call us now at (201) 309-0500 for a free initial consultation. One of our dedicated defense lawyers is available to speak with you 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
