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Facing Disorderly Conduct Charges in Myrtle Beach, SC?
Have you or someone close to you been charged with Public Disorderly Conduct?
If so, you may be feeling very confused and frustrated. This charge can seem like a “catch-all” for any behavior.
You also may be asking yourself, “What does disorderly even mean?”
Before we get to the answer to that question, let’s talk a little about why you should take this charge seriously.
The Problem With a Disorderly Conduct Conviction
Even though Disorderly Conduct is considered to be a misdemeanor, it comes with some not-so-pleasant repercussions.
One of the most unpleasant consequences that occurs after a disorderly conduct conviction is that they will show up on a background check, which can affect your employment.
We are talking about your current job AND future jobs!
Having this type of charge on your record could scare employers off by making you look like a troublemaker, even if it isn’t true.
What is Disorderly Conduct?
The definition of disorderly conduct is very broad and is broken into three parts.
However, there are three basic situations in which you can be charged with disorderly conduct.
- You were drunk in public
- You used foul language
- You discharged a firearm
A Few Questions About Disorderly Conduct Charges
Being charged with a crime can be a frightening, life-altering experience.
It can affect your reputation, your family, your job, your future, and, most importantly, your freedom.
What Is a public place?
A public place can include a number of different places, such as highways, parking lots, public parks, sidewalks, public gatherings, and much more.
Should you fight the charge?
Yes!! You should NOT plead guilty and pay the fine if that is the sentence the judge gives you.
Even though the fine may seem small and easy to pay and get behind you, be cautious of doing this.
Your conviction may appear on a background check and, as discussed above, can affect your current and future job.
What exactly IS disorderly conduct?
This is why this charge should be taken seriously—disorderly conduct can be any conduct whatsoever that the police say is disruptive.
If this charge is beginning to sound like a “catch-all” to you, it should.
What is the penalty for a conviction?
Disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor.
A conviction for this charge can carry two different penalties.
You may either get a fine of $0-100 dollars OR a jail sentence of 0-30 days.
It is at the judge’s discretion which penalty you receive and the exact amount of the fine or number of days in jail you will serve.
Will having a lawyer help?
The definition of disorderly conduct is so broad that much is left up to interpretation.
Getting slapped with these charges can be very easy when you never intended to be disorderly!
While the fine is on the lower end, and so is the jail time, ANY amount of money or jail time is too much when you have bills to pay and a job to go to.
These charges come with the bad rap of being a troublemaker.
Don’t let yourself be branded a troublemaker for the rest of your life just because of some “disorderly” behavior you never intended to be illegal!
You need an attorney to review the facts of your case and to protect you and your future.
DID YOU KNOW…?
Disorderly conduct is a broad offense, and simply being loud or intoxicated in public might not be enough to get charged.
While public intoxication and boisterous behavior are included in the disorderly conduct law, for a charge to stick, the behavior must be so offensive that it disrupts the peace and tranquility of those around them.
This means seemingly disorderly actions at a sporting event or concert might be tolerated. At the same time, the same behavior at a library or late at night in a quiet neighborhood could result in a charge.
The Basics of
Disorderly Conduct
public DRUNKENESS
Being excessively drunk in public can be considered disorderly conduct, particularly if it causes a disturbance or offense to others.
This is especially true if your behavior is disruptive or offensive to others around you.
Such behavior may include but is not limited to shouting, fighting, or causing other forms of disturbance that may cause discomfort or unease to the public.
Engaging in the use of obscene language or shouting foul words in a location that is accessible to the general public and particularly in close proximity to a school or a place of worship can be deemed as an act of disorderly conduct.
Firing a gun in a public place while intoxicated or within 50 yards of a public road is a clear case of disorderly conduct in South Carolina.
However, firing a gun outside these circumstances might still be considered disorderly conduct, depending on whether it significantly disrupts the peace and tranquility of others.
It’s important to remember that the key factor is whether the behavior disrupts the peace and tranquility of others.
So, some actions might be considered disorderly conduct in certain situations but tolerated in others.
For instance, yelling loudly at a concert might be acceptable, but the same behavior at a library would likely be disruptive and lead to a charge.
