Nobody wants a criminal record, even if it is just a disorderly conduct charge. Florida teenagers can get up to mischief, and before they know it, they might be accused of something like public annoyance. While it might seem insignificant at the time, any charges for juvenile crimes can have severe consequences that might include fines, detention and more.
Disorderly conduct is a somewhat vague term that could include anything from accusations of being loud and obnoxious in a quiet neighborhood in the early morning hours to creating a public nuisance at a convenience store. In most states, it is a charge with a broad, “catch-all” definition. For this reason, there might be several ways in which an attorney can get such charges dropped.
To get a conviction, the prosecution will have to prove that the accused person, in particular, was reckless or intentional in causing public alarm, annoyance, disturbance or inconvenience in some form. Defense strategies that might be effective in such a case include mental incapacity, self-defense or being pressured into the act that led to the arrest. Another scenario is one in which a group of teens are arrested for disorderly conduct, in which case, opportunities to disprove involvement typically exist.
Whatever the circumstances of such an arrest, a Florida attorney who is experienced in dealing with cases involving juvenile crimes will be able to spot any weaknesses in the case the prosecution presents. The lawyer will also have the necessary skills to conduct effective negotiations with the opposing side, increasing the chances of having charges reduced or dismissed. Regardless of the circumstances, an experienced attorney will always do whatever he or she can to help a client avoid fines or jail time.
Source: FindLaw, “Can You Get a Disorderly Conduct Charge Dropped?“, Molly Zilli, April 20, 2018
