Utah Disorderly Conduct Attorney - Salt Lake Defense
Lawyer
Disorderly conduct is a relatively minor criminal charge under Utah
law. But even a minor criminal conviction can have
real
consequences. From his office in
Salt
Lake City, criminal defense lawyer Stephen
Howard has handled literally thousands of serious criminal cases. If you are facing prosecution for disorderly conduct
or other criminal charges in Utah, you need an
experienced Utah
criminal defense
attorney with the experience necessary to ensure that your rights are protected.
Contact us today for an initial consultation.
Penalties for a Disorderly Conduct Conviction in Utah
Criminal charges for disorderly conduct in Utah are most commonly filed at the class C
misdemeanor
level. A conviction for a class C misdemeanor is
punishable by up to 90 days jail and a fine and surcharge totaling
$1,425. Under the Utah criminal code, disorderly conduct can also be classified as an in fraction under certain circumstances.
Elements of a Disorderly Conduct Charge in Utah
The
Utah criminal code creates several categories of behavior that can be
charged as "disorderly conduct." These can include refusing to comply
with the lawful order of a police
officer to move from a public place, or the knowing creation of a
hazardous or "physically offensive condition." A criminal
charge of disorderly conduct can also be based on engaging in fighting
or "violent,
tumultuous, or threatening behavior," making "unreasonable noises in a
public place" or "unreasonable noises in a private place which can be
heard in a public place," or obstructing traffic, if the person
engaging in that conduct has the intent "to cause public inconvenience,
annoyance, or alarm."
If a person has been asked to stop,
and continues to engage in the disorderly conduct, the criminal charge
can be filed at a class C misdemeanor level. If there has been no
request to stop, the offense is technically an infraction. But in
practice, it is very rare that police and prosecutors become engaged in
prosecuting cases where the defendant was not first asked to stop.
Thus, most charges for disorderly conduct in Utah are filed as
misdemeanors.
Utah Disorderly Conduct Charges - Plea Negotiations
Criminal charges for disorderly conduct in Utah are often accompanied by other related charges, such as
public intoxication or
assault.
In such cases, it is sometimes possible to negotiate the dismissal of
more serious charges in exchange for a plea to a lesser disorderly
conduct charge.
In other cases, an assault or
riot
charge may be filed. But through negotiations, a prosecuting attorney
may be convinced to amend the charge to the less serious disorderly
conduct charge. In some cases, a prosecutor may even be convinced to
amend the charge to an infraction level charge or to enter into a plea
in abeyance agreement.
Choosing a Criminal Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake City, Utah
Any criminal charge is serious. If you have been charged with disorderly conduct or other criminal charges, an
experienced Utah
criminal defense attorney can ensure that your rights are protected. Based in Salt Lake City, attorney Stephen Howard has defended clients facing
felony and misdemeanor charges ranging from murder to
DUI and virtually everything in between.
Contact us now to
schedule an initial consultation with Stephen Howard.