State College Disorderly Conduct Lawyer
If you have been charged with Disorderly Conduct in Pennsylvania, you should take the charge seriously. Although disorderly conduct is often charged as a summary offense, a conviction can result in fines, court costs, and a criminal record.
Attorney Jason Dunkle represents individuals charged with Disorderly Conduct in State College and Centre County. He handles summary offenses as well as misdemeanor and felony criminal charges.
Pennsylvania Disorderly Conduct Charges
Pennsylvania’s disorderly conduct statute, 18 Pa.C.S. § 5503, covers a variety of conduct that occurs in public. The statute generally requires proof that a person acted with the intent to cause, or recklessly created a risk of, public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm.
Disorderly conduct allegations can involve:
- Fighting or threatening behavior
- Making unreasonable noise
- Using obscene language or gestures
- Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition
- Engaging in other conduct that creates a substantial inconvenience or annoyance to the public
The specific facts of the incident and the subsection of the statute charged are important when evaluating a disorderly conduct case.
Defenses to Disorderly Conduct
Not every argument, disturbance, loud noise, or offensive statement constitutes criminal disorderly conduct. The Commonwealth must prove the required elements of the offense.
Depending on the circumstances, defenses may include:
- The conduct did not occur in a public place.
- The Commonwealth cannot establish the required intent or recklessness.
- The alleged conduct did not create the required public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm.
- Self defense
Disorderly Conduct as a Summary Offense
Many disorderly conduct charges are filed as summary offenses and are handled in Magisterial District Court. A summary charge is less serious than a misdemeanor or felony, but a conviction can still have consequences. A disorderly conduct citation should not simply be paid without first considering the potential impact of a conviction and whether the charge can be challenged or resolved favorably.
If the case is not a good one to fight, another option is a diversionary program. Completion of such a program results in the dismissal of the charge, and an expungement can be filed thereafter to have records of the incident destroyed.
State College Disorderly Conduct Attorney
Attorney Jason Dunkle has practiced criminal defense since 2004 and represents clients charged with disorderly conduct and other criminal offenses in Centre County and throughout Central Pennsylvania. If you have received a Disorderly Conduct citation in State College or Centre County, contact JD Law online for a free case evaluation.