Were you charged with disorderly conduct while attending college in Louisville, Kentucky? A criminal charge can affect more than your immediate freedom. It may also create problems at school and raise concerns about your future. Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can help you understand your options and fight the charge.
Our attorneys have 100+ years of combined experience. Our legal team includes former police officers and prosecutors who understand criminal cases from several perspectives.
Call us today at (502) 371-7000 to schedule a free consultation with a Louisville disorderly conduct attorney for college students.
How Can Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers Help College Students With a Disorderly Conduct Charge in Louisville, KY?
A college student in Louisville, KY, may be accused of disorderly conduct after an incident at a party, bar, sporting event, residence hall, or another public setting. An arrest does not mean the prosecution can prove the charge.
Our Louisville criminal defense lawyers can:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your arrest
- Review police reports, videos, witness statements, and other evidence
- Determine whether the prosecution can prove every element of the offense
- Identify weaknesses in the government’s case
- Negotiate with prosecutors when appropriate
- Represent you in court and pursue a favorable resolution
Our attorneys have been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers and Super Lawyers, and members of our team have received a 10.0 Avvo rating.
College students often have concerns that extend beyond the courtroom. We can evaluate the criminal allegations while you focus on your education and next steps. Contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for a free consultation today.
What Is Disorderly Conduct in Kentucky?
Kentucky recognizes disorderly conduct in both first and second degrees. Under Kentucky Revised Statutes § 525.060, a person can commit disorderly conduct in the second degree while in a public place and acting with the intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or by wantonly creating such a risk.
The statute covers conduct such as:
- Fighting or engaging in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior
- Making unreasonable noise
- Refusing an official order to disperse in certain emergency situations
- Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition through an act that serves no legitimate purpose
The circumstances matter. Merely being present when other people are acting loudly or aggressively does not necessarily establish that an individual committed disorderly conduct.
Kentucky also has first-degree disorderly conduct under KRS § 525.055. That offense applies to specified disorderly behavior within 300 feet of certain funerals, memorial services, funeral processions, or similar events during a defined period surrounding the event.
What Are the Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in Louisville, Kentucky?
Second-degree disorderly conduct is a Class B misdemeanor in Kentucky. A Class B misdemeanor can carry up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $250.
First-degree disorderly conduct is a Class A misdemeanor. A Class A misdemeanor can carry up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $500.
The exact outcome of a case depends on the charge, the evidence, the defendant’s history, and other circumstances. Students should take even a misdemeanor accusation seriously rather than assuming the case will disappear on its own.
Can a Disorderly Conduct Charge Affect a College Student?
A criminal case may create concerns beyond possible fines or jail time. Depending on the school and the circumstances, alleged conduct may also result in a separate student disciplinary process.
Kentucky law establishes disciplinary procedures for students at public postsecondary institutions, including the University of Louisville. These procedures address matters such as student conduct proceedings, hearings, suspension, expulsion, and certain appeal rights.
The criminal court process and a school disciplinary matter are not necessarily the same proceedings. Statements or decisions made in one setting could also create complications elsewhere. A student facing both processes should consider obtaining legal guidance before deciding how to respond to allegations.
What Defenses Are Available to a Kentucky Disorderly Conduct Charge?
There is no single defense that applies to every disorderly conduct case. A Louisville criminal defense attorney can examine the prosecution’s evidence and determine which arguments may apply.
Potential defense issues can include:
- The alleged conduct did not occur in a public place as required by the charged statute
- The defendant did not engage in the conduct alleged
- The prosecution cannot establish the required intent or wanton state of mind
- The conduct did not rise to the level prohibited by the statute
- An allegedly hazardous or offensive act served a legitimate purpose
- Witness testimony or video evidence contradicts the allegations
- Police or prosecutors have insufficient evidence to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt
For example, an argument at a crowded event might lead to an arrest, but the surrounding circumstances still matter. Prosecutors must prove the statutory elements of the particular offense charged.
An attorney can review body camera footage, phone recordings, surveillance video, witness accounts, and other available evidence when developing a defense strategy.
What Should I Do After a Disorderly Conduct Arrest as a College Student?
Do not ignore the charge simply because it is a misdemeanor. Keep copies of citation, bond, court, and university paperwork you receive, and make sure you know about upcoming deadlines or hearings.
It can also be helpful to preserve relevant evidence. Save text messages, videos, photographs, names of witnesses, and other information connected to the incident rather than deleting or altering it.
Avoid discussing the facts of the case publicly or posting about the incident on social media. Instead, speak with a criminal defense attorney about the allegations and the legal process.
Contact Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers for a Free Consultation With a Louisville Disorderly Conduct Lawyer Today
A disorderly conduct accusation can interfere with your education and leave you uncertain about what comes next. You do not have to navigate the criminal justice system without help.
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, our attorneys have 100+ years of combined experience, and our team includes former police officers and prosecutors. We can review the allegations, explain your options, and develop a defense based on the facts of your case.
Call us today to schedule a free consultation with a Louisville disorderly conduct lawyer for college students.