Pittsburgh Disorderly Conduct Lawyers
Under Pennsylvania law, disorderly conduct is a criminal charge defined broadly as causing a public inconvenience. Disorderly conduct may involve:
- People fighting or threatening one another (like in a bar fight);
- Being too noisy (like neighbors having a loud party); or
- Using obscene language or making an obscene gesture.
As you can see, disorderly conduct covers a wide range of activities. The law includes an additional provision stating that disorderly conduct may involve creating a hazardous condition “by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.”
To speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Disorderly Conduct Penalties in Pennsylvania
The penalties for a disorderly conduct conviction depend on the grading of the offense. Though disorderly conduct is generally charged as a summary offense, it may be graded as a more serious third-degree misdemeanor under certain conditions in Pennsylvania.
Disorderly conduct is a third-degree misdemeanor when:
- The defendant intends to cause “substantial” harm;
- The defendant intends to cause “serious” inconvenience; or
- The defendant “persists” in disorderly conduct after reasonable warning to stop.
Penalties for a summary offense include a maximum of 90 days in jail and a fine up to $300.00, whereas penalties for a third-degree misdemeanor offense include a maximum of one year in jail and a fine up to $2,000.00.
To speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney, call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390.
Contact Our Pittsburgh Law Firm Today
Call Spivak Law Firm at (412) 344-4900 or toll free at (800) 545-9390. Our Pittsburgh office is open during normal business hours, as well as evenings and weekends by appointment.
Spivak Law Firm represents clients in Pittsburgh and all surrounding counties, including: Allegheny County, Beaver County, Butler County, Washington County and Westmoreland County. We accept cases in Armstrong County, Clarion County, Crawford County, Fayette County, Greene County, Indiana County, Lawrence County, Mercer County, Somerset County and Venango County.