Have you or a loved one been arrested for disorderly conduct in Kentucky? Contact the Louisville disorderly conduct defense lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC for immediate legal assistance. We know that you’re worried about how an arrest will impact your future. That’s why we’ll do everything we can to help you protect it.
We offer a free, no-obligation case assessment, so give our Louisville law offices a call at (502) 371-7000 to schedule yours today.
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How a Louisville Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You Fight Back Against Your Disorderly Conduct Charge
When you’re facing criminal charges, you can be confident that our Louisville criminal defense attorneys will fight tooth and nail on your behalf. We will help you by:
Guiding You Through the Legal Process
The Kentucky judicial system can be confusing at the best of times – and the prosecution is under no obligation to explain it to you. As such, if you would like to get through your case without too much damage, you will need the guidance of an experienced lawyer.
The attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC have been working within the Kentucky legal system for years. As such, we understand all of its policies and procedures. When you work with us, we will help you make it through your case as seamlessly as possible.
Gathering Evidence to Help Your Case
From the moment you are placed under arrest, the prosecution will begin compiling evidence to use against you. If you want to maximize your chances of preventing your charge from becoming a conviction, you will need to fight back with some evidence of your own.
Having worked on countless disorderly conduct cases in the past, our Louisville defense lawyers understand how and where to find evidence to help your case. We will interview witnesses, review surveillance camera footage, and do whatever else it takes to provide you with a vigorous defense.
Negotiating with the Prosecuting Attorney
From the amount of your bond to the severity of your punishment, just about every aspect of your disorderly conduct case is up for negotiation. Of course, if you want to secure the most favorable terms, you will need the assistance of an experienced negotiator.
At Suhre & Associates, LLC, our defense attorneys are experts in the art of negotiation. If we believe it is possible to lower your bail or shorten your jail term, we will work diligently to try to make it happen.
Representing You in Court
If the prosecuting attorney is unwilling to agree to an acceptable plea bargain, your case will almost certainly go to trial. The best way to obtain a favorable outcome in court is to enlist the services of an experienced defense lawyer.
Fortunately, our skilled attorneys have represented hundreds of clients in the courtroom. As such, we know exactly how to make your case both compelling and persuasive to the jury.
If you need a criminal defense attorney to help you fight back against your disorderly conduct charge, call the legal team Suhre & Associates, LLC in Louisville, KY. To schedule an initial consultation with one of our skilled lawyers, just give us a call or contact us online.
Types of Disorderly Conduct Offenses in Kentucky
The state of Kentucky recognizes two main forms of disorderly conduct (or disturbing the peace).
Disorderly Conduct in the First Degree
First-degree disorderly conduct is outlined in section 525.055 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. The statute explains that you may be charged with this offense if you carry out any of the following acts in a public place:
- Fighting or acting in a violent, tumultuous, or threatening manner
- Making excessive noise, or
- Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition without a legitimate purpose.
The term “public place” is defined in section 525.010 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes as “a place to which the public or a substantial group of persons has access.” Some examples would include parks, highways, schools, playgrounds, and places of business.
Disorderly Conduct in the Second Degree
Second-degree disorderly conduct is explained in section 525.060 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes. It states that you may be charged with this crime if you cause inconvenience, annoyance, alarm in public by:
- Fighting or acting in a violent, tumultuous, or threatening manner
- Making excessive noise
- Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition without a legitimate purpose, or
- Refusing to obey an official order from emergency personnel.
A second-degree disorderly conduct charge can be bumped up to a first-degree charge if the offense occurs within 300 feet of a:
- Cemetery during a funeral or burial
- Funeral home during a viewing
- Building in which a funeral or memorial service is being conducted
- Funeral procession
- Funeral or burial service
For the offense to be upgraded, you must commit the act at any point between one hour prior to the event and one hour after the event. You must also be aware that they are within 300 feet of such an event.
No matter which of these offenses you have been charged with, our Louisville disorderly conduct lawyers are here to help. All you need to do is give us a call to set up a free initial consultation to discuss your case. From there, our skilled attorneys will review the specifics of your charge and begin putting together an effective defense strategy.
Punishments for Disorderly Conduct Convictions in Kentucky
The penalties you’ll face for disorderly conduct depend on whether you’ve been charged with a first-degree or second-degree offense.
Penalties for First-Degree Disorderly Conduct Convictions
Disorderly conduct in the first degree is generally classified as a Class A misdemeanor in the state of Kentucky. This criminal offense is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a fine of $500.
Penalties for Second-Degree Disorderly Conduct Convictions
The state of Kentucky categorizes disorderly conduct in the second degree as a Class B misdemeanor. Penalties for offenses of this nature can run as high as 90 days in jail and/or a fine of $250.
The experienced lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC may be able to minimize your disorderly conduct punishment. In some cases, we might even be able to help you avoid them altogether. Give our Louisville law office a call today to find out more about how we can help.
Potential Defenses Against Kentucky Disorderly Conduct Charges
Being charged with a crime like disorderly conduct does not mean that you will be convicted. With an effective defense strategy in place, you may be able to clear your name entirely.
A brief list of the arguments that your Suhre & Associates, LLC attorney may use to defend you against your disorderly conduct charge would include:
Mistaken Identity
Disorderly conduct arrests often happen in busy places, with large groups of people in the vicinity. Because of this, law enforcement officers sometimes have trouble accurately identifying the individual or individuals who are breaking the law. As a result, they may end up arresting the wrong person.
If you are the victim of mistaken identity, our attorneys will work diligently to show the prosecution that they have got the wrong person. Surveillance camera footage and eyewitness testimony can be particularly helpful in accomplishing that goal. Once we prove that you did not commit the crime, your charge will most likely be dropped immediately.
Rights Violations
As a citizen or resident of the United States, you have certain constitutional rights that law enforcement officials cannot infringe upon. Unfortunately, when taking people into custody at public events, the police are often more focused on getting the job done quickly rather than respecting the rights or their arrestees.
If your constitutional rights were infringed upon during the course of your arrest, the skilled lawyers at Suhre & Associates, LLC may be able to get some evidence thrown out. In certain cases, we might even be able to have your disorderly conduct charge dismissed entirely.
Lack of Evidence
Accusing you of disorderly conduct is not enough to land the prosecution a conviction. Before they can congratulate themselves on a job well done, they must prove that you committed the crime. To accomplish this feat, they will need some evidence.
Our experienced attorneys understand the kind of evidence the prosecution needs to make their case. If we find that their evidence is lacking, we may be able to file a motion to have your charge dismissed.
Let Our Louisville Disorderly Conduct Defense Lawyers Fight For You
A disorderly conduct conviction can have some really harsh consequences, now and in the future. The best way to protect yourself is by launching a strong defense. You don’t have to do that on your own. The Louisville criminal defense attorneys at Suhre & Associates, LLC are here to help you in any way that we can.
Our legal team has been helping the people of Louisville fight back against their criminal charges for years. During that time, we have racked up countless dropped charges, reduced sentences, and not guilty verdicts. If you would like us to assist you with your disorderly conduct charge, please do not hesitate to reach out and schedule a free consultation.
Visit our Law Office in Louisville, Kentucky
Suhre & Associates, LLC
214 S Clay St A
Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 371-7000
