Fort Lauderdale, Florida Disorderly Conduct Attorney

Lawyer for Charges of Disorderly Conduct or Breaching the Peace in Fort Lauderdale

Disorderly conduct is a broadly defined offense under Florida law. This charge may apply when law enforcement officials take action to address behavior that may be viewed as disruptive, offensive, or threatening to public order. In many cases, charges are based on misunderstandings, overreactions, or isolated incidents that escalate unnecessarily. A conviction for disorderly conduct may not carry the same penalties as more serious offenses, but it can still result in a permanent criminal record, damage to your reputation, and negative consequences that may affect your employment, housing, or education.

With legal help from an experienced criminal defense attorney, you can defend against disorderly conduct charges and take steps to avoid a criminal conviction. At The Hoffman Firm, our lawyer works with people in Fort Lauderdale who have been accused of disorderly conduct or other offenses. He will help you take steps to protect your rights and address the accusations you are facing while fighting to ensure that you can achieve a positive outcome to your case. He understands how subjective these charges can be, and he will take a proactive approach to challenging weak or unsupported allegations.

How Florida Law Defines Disorderly Conduct

Under Florida Statutes Section 877.03, disorderly conduct may include any actions that involve public disruptions or outrages to "public decency." Words or actions that affect the peace and quiet of witnesses or "corrupt public morals" may lead to criminal charges. Fighting or brawling in public may also be considered disorderly conduct.

The language of the law is vague, and determining whether a person's actions have affected public morals or public decency may be left up to interpretation by law enforcement officials or the courts. Police officers have considerable discretion in deciding when to arrest someone for disorderly conduct. As a result, people may face charges in situations where no real harm occurred or where they were exercising their rights in a way that was misinterpreted as disruptive.

Examples of Disorderly Conduct Charges

There are many reasons that a person could be arrested for disorderly conduct. These charges may occur in emotionally charged environments or locations where there are large crowds of people. Examples of situations that could lead to charges of disorderly conduct include:

• Getting into a heated argument or shouting match in a public place
• Using loud or offensive language toward others in a bar or on the street
• Participating in a protest or demonstration that police deem to be overly disruptive
• Engaging in a physical fight at a bar, concert, or sporting event
• Public intoxication that leads to aggressive or disruptive behavior
• Refusing to leave an area when instructed by law enforcement
• Causing a scene that attracts a crowd or leads to public unrest

Even if no one is injured and no property is damaged, a person may be arrested if officers believe their conduct threatened public order or disturbed the peace.

Penalties for a Disorderly Conduct Conviction

Disorderly conduct is a second-degree misdemeanor. A person who is convicted may be sentenced to up to 60 days in jail, along with other penalties, including fines, probation, or community service.

Beyond the criminal penalties, a misdemeanor conviction can lead to significant collateral consequences. A criminal record can affect your employment opportunities, your ability to receive or maintain a professional license, and other areas of your life. Even if you are not sentenced to jail time, the lasting impact of a conviction can be serious.

Defense Strategies in Disorderly Conduct Cases

Because disorderly conduct charges are often based on observations by members of the public or the opinions of police officers, there may be strong grounds for challenging the allegations. Our lawyer will review the circumstances surrounding a disorderly conduct arrest to determine whether the conduct in question truly violated the law or whether the charges were based on an overreach by law enforcement. Possible defense strategies may include:

• Constitutional Rights: In many cases, people are arrested for speech or conduct that is protected under the First Amendment. Courts have ruled that expressing unpopular opinions or using offensive language, by itself, does not constitute disorderly conduct unless it incites violence or poses a real threat to public safety.
• Lack of Disruption: To support a conviction, the prosecution must show that the conduct actually disturbed the peace or posed a threat to public order. If the incident was minor, involved no violence, or did not provoke a reaction from others, our attorney may argue that no crime occurred.
• Self-Defense or Defense of Others: If an incident involved a fight or confrontation, our lawyer may present evidence that the accused acted in self-defense or was trying to protect someone else.
• Misidentification or Incomplete Evidence: In chaotic situations, officers may mistakenly identify the wrong person, or they may rely on inaccurate witness accounts. Our attorney can review video footage, statements from witnesses, and police reports to challenge the accuracy of the evidence.
• Lack of Criminal Intent: Disorderly conduct laws are not intended to criminalize accidental or unintentional behavior. If a person was unaware of how their conduct was being perceived or was reacting to a stressful situation, our lawyer may argue that the charges should be dismissed.

Contact Our Fort Lauderdale, FL Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

If you have been charged with disorderly conduct, you should not assume that the matter is too minor to take seriously. A conviction can have lasting consequences, and early legal intervention may make the difference between a dismissal and a permanent criminal record. At The Hoffman Firm, our lawyer can provide you with the defense you need to defend against a misdemeanor conviction. Contact our Fort Lauderdale disorderly conduct defense attorney by calling 954-524-4474 and scheduling a free consultation.