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What We DoDisorderly conduct and public disturbance are very common misdemeanors in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina. However, it has a broad legal definition and there are variety of behaviors that could be considered disorderly conduct, making it difficult to state what you specifically can and cannot do.
As such, if you’ve been charged with disorderly conduct and/or public disturbance, you need a North Carolina criminal defense lawyer to defend your case in court, while ensuring that police and prosecutors have followed the full extent of North Carolina law.
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According to North Carolina General Statute § 14-288.4, disorderly conduct is defined as a “public disturbance intentionally caused by a person” who does any of the following:
There are many other behaviors that could be considered disorderly conduct. For example, conducting a sit-in or protesting at your school could make you susceptible for a disorderly conduct charge. Furthermore, public misconduct such as public urination or public intoxication can fall under the disorderly conduct category.
In North Carolina, if you’re convicted of a disorderly conduct charge, you could be facing a Class 2 misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a maximum $1,000 fine.
There is a fairly clear line distinguishing a public assembly, such as a protest, from a riot. According to North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. § 14-288.2), a riot involves three or more people threatening to incite violence or behaving in such a way that it creates risk of injury or property damage. Punishments for a riot are profoundly increased in terms of severity if people are injured or property is destroyed during the riot.
At the same time, however, failure to disperse is a common charge given to those exercising their right to assembly and protest. If staging a sit-in at the superintendent’s office, and you’re asked to leave, you could be convicted of failing to disperse.
Drunk and disorderly is another common charge in North Carolina, and this crime involves a person being drunk in any public space (even if privately owned) and being disruptive by some of the following activities:
From noise violations to using obscene or vulgar language at a bus stop, there are many behaviors that could be coined as disorderly conduct. Because of the many grey areas in this law, it is essential to have a North Carolina criminal defense lawyer investigating the circumstances of the case and rigorously defending you in court. For Raleigh’s leading defense attorney, contact Dewey P. Brinkley at 919-832-0307 for a free consultation today.
Certified Criminal Law Specialist by North Carolina State Bar.
Tried over 250 criminal cases in local courts.
Knows prosecution strategies from time as Assistant District Attorney.
Direct, responsive service from start to finish by Brinkley himself.
4.9-star client reviews praise professionalism and case outcomes.
Speak directly with Attorney Dewey Brinkley – 100% confidential and no obligation.
Before founding our Criminal Defense Law Firm in Raleigh, Attorney Dewey P. Brinkley worked for almost three years in the Wake County District Attorney’s office, gaining in-depth experience handling domestic violence, misdemeanors and juvenile court offenses.
As a Raleigh Criminal Defense Lawyer, he handles serious felony charges, including armed robbery and attempted murder, as well as DWI, traffic tickets and violations and misdemeanors. Whatever charge you face, we can help.