If you are charged with Disorderly Conduct in Weld County you will want to hire a defense lawyer. This charge can be the result of a variety of different things, anywhere from yelling too loud in a private residence to using obscene gestures, fighting, or disturbing the peace in public. Recently, a two teenagers in Chicago were charged with Disorderly Conduct, retail theft, and criminal trespass while visiting a Walmart store. While at the store, one was wearing mask and a sign stating he had the Corona Virus and went around spraying disinfectant on random items while the other accompanied him.
What is Disorderly Conduct in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, Colorado, Disorderly Conduct is defined by C.R.S. 18-9-106, as when someone:
Intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
(a) Makes a coarse and obviously offensive utterance, gesture, or display in a public place and the utterance, gesture, or display which tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace; or
(c) Makes unreasonable noise in a public place or near a private residence that he has no right to occupy; or
(d) Fights with another in a public place except in an amateur or professional contest of athletic skill; or
(e) Not being a peace officer, discharges a firearm in a public place except when engaged in lawful target practice or hunting or the ritual discharge of blank ammunition cartridges as an attendee at a funeral for a deceased person who was a veteran of the armed forces of the United States; or
(f) Not being a peace officer, displays a deadly weapon, displays any article used or fashioned in a manner to cause a person to reasonably believe that the article is a deadly weapon, or represents verbally or otherwise that he or she is armed with a deadly weapon in a public place in a manner calculated to alarm.
So even though the teenagers were in Chicago, in Colorado they would also be charged with disorderly conduct because of “display tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace.” With the virus being in the forefront of news and the public being largely worried about the Corona Virus, the teenagers’ display and actions would have breached the peace in the store. A breach of peace can be defined as any behavior that is likely to cause other people alarm, anger, or annoyance. The customers in the store were probably very alarmed and that explains why the police were called.
What is the Punishment and Sentence for Disorderly Conduct in Weld County?
In Weld County, Disorderly Conduct includes conduct which tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace. The conduct of the teenagers pretending to have the Corona Virus easily qualifies based on the nature of their conduct. Disorderly conduct of this types is a class 1 petty offense, and the sentence / penalties include a fine of up to $1,000, up to six months in jail, or both. Had the teenagers done this at a funeral, the sentence would increase.
Other types of sentences for Disorderly Conduct depend on the action that caused the charges. For example, fighting in public is also illegal. This type of Disorderly Conduct is a class 3 misdemeanor, and penalties include up to $50, up to six months in jail, or both. Also, discharging (or threatening to discharge) a weapon in public is a class 2 misdemeanor. Penalties include a fine at least $250 (and up to $1,000), at least six (and up to 12) months in jail, or both.
Do I Still Need a Lawyer for Disorderly Conduct in Greeley, Colorado?
Yes! If you’re facing a Disorderly Conduct charge in Greeley, Colorado, having an experienced lawyer will help your charges and punishment get minimized or even dropped completely. Exercise your right not to talk to the police, as they can and do use your own words against you. They are trained to get you to talk, and say things helpful to the District Attorney. We want to protect you, so help us by exercising your right to remain silent.
If you charged for Disorderly Conduct in Weld County or Greeley, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009. Together, we can protect your future.
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