Pittsburgh Disorderly Conduct Attorney

Charged with the Summary Offense of Disorderly Conduct in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a person can be charged with disorderly conduct for a host of reasons. In most cases, disorderly conduct charge is reserved for persons who are acting unmannerly in public, but really not a threat to themselves or anyone else.

Here are some examples: Just left a Pittsburgh Bar, Mall or concert and you get into a shouting match with a friend on a public street? Good chance you will be charged with Disorderly Conduct. Standing in line for a ride at Kennywood Park and someone jumps line or starts pushing or yelling obscenities? That person will probably be charged with disorderly conduct. Just left a Pittsburgh Restaurant had a little too much to drink and you get into a shoving incident with someone on the street? Expect to be cited for Disorderly Conduct.

What Is the Definition of Disorderly Conduct?

In Pennsylvania, Disorderly Conduct is defined as follows:

(a) Offense defined.--A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with intent 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;

(2) makes unreasonable noise;

(3) uses obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or

(4) creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.

(b) Grading.--An offense under this section is a misdemeanor of the third degree if the intent of the actor is to cause substantial harm or serious inconvenience, or if he persists in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning or request to desist. Otherwise disorderly conduct is a summary offense.

(c) Definition.--As used in this section the word "public" means affecting or likely to affect persons in a place to which the public or a substantial group has access; among the places included are highways, transport facilities, schools, prisons, apartment houses, places of business or amusement, any neighborhood, or any premises which are open to the public.

Why You Need a Criminal Defense Attorney to Fight a Disorderly Conduct Charge

A conviction for disorderly conduct is harmless right? Wrong! A conviction for disorderly conduct on an otherwise unblemished record can wreak havoc and unnecessary stress when seeking employment, attempting to purchase a firearm or apply for a loan. Since the charge of disorderly conduct is vague in nature, you often will find yourself explaining the facts of the incident over and over again in an attempt to convey that it "really wasn't a big deal". In the end, the person receiving the explanation may think otherwise and decide to go with another candidate.

You need to fight charges of disorderly conduct as if you were facing a charge of aggravated assault or possession of narcotics. Although disorderly conduct is just a summary offense in most cases, you can still be subject to hefty fines and possible jail time. An experienced attorney can help gather evidence and witnesses to the allege conduct in an effort to fight the charges and have the charge removed from your record through the expungement process.

Contact Pittsburgh Criminal Defense Attorney Frank Walker for your Disorderly Conduct Charge

Attorney Frank Walker is the person you want fighting for your rights. Don't let a disorderly conduct charge tarnish your record. Don't let the government try to charge you with disorderly conduct simply because they are unable to charge you with anything else and they feel you should be charged with something. That is not how our constitution works.