New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

A fun night out on the town can result in something much more serious if the situation gets out of hand and the authorities become involved. There are many different acts that can result in heavy fines and even jail time. If you are facing any type of disorderly conduct charges, do not make the mistake of taking your situation lightly.

N.J.S.A. 40:48-1 gives municipalities the power to “prevent vice, drunkenness, and immorality.” This allows local authorities to determine how to prevent dangerous situations caused by intoxication. Additionally, there are many offenses that are commonly linked to alcohol consumption.

Under N.J.S.A. 3-19.4, you can face charges for loitering or assembling on the streets while uttering “loud and offensive or indecent language.” Offensive language at any quasi-public or private location can result in charges under 3:19.5. Lewd conduct or urinating in public can lead to charges under 3:19.6. If you become too loud and there are complaints, you may also face disturbing the peace charges under 3-19.7.

According to N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2: “A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he (1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or (2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.”

Penalties for petty disorderly persons offenses such as disorderly conduct or public intoxication can result in a $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, and mandatory community service and probation. It is important to have a skilled criminal defense attorney who has experience fighting these types of charges.

It is often possible to successfully fight a disorderly conduct charge or to have the penalties reduced. An experienced criminal defense lawyer in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein can provide confidential and free consultations to anyone charged with public intoxication or disorderly conduct in New Jersey. Please contact us at (609) 240-0040 to find out how we can help.

A 25-year-old woman was pepper-sprayed and charged with disorderly conduct following an incident at a 7-Eleven store. According to a Fox News report, the alleged incident occurred at a 7-Eleven in Bridgeton. Officials say she became angry when there were no sausages in the hot dog cooker and she tried to attack an employee. Police arrived as she was trying to climb over the counter to attack the clerk. They pepper-sprayed her, arrested her, and turned her over to a hospital for evaluation, the report states.

Disorderly conduct is commonly referred to as improper behavior. N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 states, “A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he (1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or (2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.”

There are many types of actions that can be considered disorderly conduct. Under the law, even using offensive language can result in a disorderly persons offense if it is done in a public place and someone was offended by it. These types of crimes can result in heavy fines and they can hurt someone’s reputation and standing in his or her community. If something similar happens in the future, the suspect may face even harsher penalties for a repeat offense.

The criminal defense lawyers in NJ at Lependorf & Silverstein handle all types of disorderly conduct cases in New Jersey. If you or a loved one has been charged for improper behavior, it is important to take the charges seriously and to speak with a defense lawyer. Please call us at (609) 240-0040 to discuss your case at absolutely no cost.

A waitress at a Roselle Park restaurant was arrested after officials say she stabbed another restaurant employee with a bread knife and caused a disturbance. Officials say the 56-year-old woman was yelling loudly and using profanity in a crowded dining area. The man she had attacked with the knife sustained minor cuts to his face, throat, and head. Police say the man was attacked after he tried to calm the woman down after she had an argument with another person. The waitress was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct. She could face aggravated assault and weapons charges.

Under New Jersey law, disorderly conduct is a disorderly persons offense. According to New Jersey Statute 2C:33-2, a person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, "if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he: (1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or (2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor."

A disorderly persons offense can quickly escalate to much more serious charges if the incident involved injuries and use of some type of weapon. Aggravated assault charges can have serious consequences including jail time, hefty fines, and a mark on an individual’s criminal record.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a disorderly persons offense in New Jersey, an experienced Princeton criminal defense attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein can help fight the charges and protect your reputation and future. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, please call us at (609) 240-0040.

A New Jersey man is facing several charges after having an altercation with others at a casino where officials say he pulled out a knife. The 37-year-old man from New Brunswick is accused of an “unprovoked confrontation” with a woman and her son who sat at a slot machine. Police say they have video footage of the incident. The man has been charged with possessing instruments of crime, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, disorderly conduct, harassment, and public drunkenness.

Disorderly conduct charges that we commonly see in New Jersey include public drunkenness, disturbance of the peace, getting involved in a physical fight, obscene or disruptive behavior, creating loud or unreasonable noise, and endangering the welfare of others. Police officers may arrest individuals for disorderly conduct without proper cause because, often, it is the arresting officer’s subjective opinion that leads to the arrest. It is the arresting officer who makes the determination as to whether the conduct was offensive or disruptive.

It would be a mistake not to take these types of charges seriously. Individuals who are facing several charges could face harsher penalties. Those convicted of disorderly conduct may have a tough time getting a job or pursuing other career or educational opportunities in the future. Also, there are cases where disorderly conduct charges may be pursued as a felony and if the defendant is convicted, he or she could face significant jail time.

The experienced NJ criminal defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have a successful track record of getting charges reduced or dismissed for our clients. If you or a loved one has been charged with disorderly conduct in New Jersey, please contact us at (609) 240-0040 for a free, comprehensive, and confidential consultation.

During any holiday weekend, it is important that New Jersey residents remember to drink responsibly. Holiday weekends often lead to a significant increase in gatherings, parties and alcohol consumption. When individuals consume too much alcohol there is the potential for things to get out of hand and for the authorities to get involved.

New Jersey Statute 2C:33-2 defines disorderly conduct as "improper behavior." A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, "if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he: 1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or (2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor."

It doesn't take much for a fun weekend to turn into a harrowing and traumatic one. This type of charge may not seem like a big deal but all criminal charges should be taken seriously. A disorderly conduct conviction may result in heavy fines, the creation of a criminal record and even incarceration. Anyone facing disorderly conduct charges would be well advised to seek legal guidance from a skilled New Jersey criminal defense attorney who will fight to have the penalties reduced or the charges thrown out.

The knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein know how to fight wrongful charges. If you are facing criminal charges in New Jersey, do not hesitate to contact our offices at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Three men in their 20s were arrested for disorderly conduct after about 35 people were involved in a brawl. According to a news report in The Brick Patch, the incident occurred near Jenkinson's Boardwalk on Ocean Avenue in Point Pleasant. The early morning incident involved a number of individuals who may be in the Bloods gang from Newark and Paterson. While many individuals were involved in this altercation, officials decided to arrest and cite only these three individuals. It is unclear how they determined that these three men should face charges for the fight when at least 32 other people were involved as well.

Disorderly conduct is a disorderly persons offense that can result in up to 30 days in county jail. New Jersey Code 2C:33-2 states: “A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he: (1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or (2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.”

In cases where several people are involved such as a brawl, it is common for mistaken identities to lead to false arrests and wrongful allegations. There are often conflicting reports and statements from not only those involved in the fight, but also eyewitnesses. Anyone facing these types of charges would be well-advised to seek legal guidance from a skilled criminal defense attorney in New Jersey.

The lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long history of successfully handling disorderly conduct and other criminal cases in New Jersey. If you or a loved one has been charged with a disorderly persons offense, please call our law offices at 609-240-0040 before discussing your case with the authorities.