Can I Be Put in Jail for Disorderly Conduct?
Disorderly conduct, or disturbing the peace, means doing something that alarms your neighbors or other people in the vicinity.
Peace and quiet are what most people want. While total silence cannot be expected at all hours of the day, it is generally expected that people can enjoy their own homes and public spaces in peace. Disturbing that peace is a crime. And sometimes, disorderly conduct is a crime that could put you in jail.
What Counts As Disorderly Conduct?
Arizona defines disorderly conduct as intentionally or knowingly disturbing the peace. In Maricopa County, the three most common types of arrests for this charge are for fighting, overly loud music, and abusive or offensive language directed at others.
Disturbing the peace includes actions like:
- Fighting. Fighting verbally or physically can get loud, and that can get the cops called to your address. This also includes using offensive language and comments to attempt to pick a fight.
- Loud music. Keep the volume reasonable to avoid criminal charges. Whether you’re blasting Taylor Swift or Drake at your next house party, your neighbors might not appreciate the noise.
- Shooting off weapons. If you discharge a weapon or display one in a threatening way, you are disturbing the peace.
- Refusal to disperse. If you refuse to leave a dangerous area due to a hazard like a fire or a public emergency, you could be charged with disorderly conduct.
There are two possible charges for a disorderly conduct arrest in Arizona:
- Class 1 misdemeanor (loud music, refusal to disperse)
- Class 6 felony (domestic violence, deadly weapons)
What Are the Punishments for a Disorderly Conduct Conviction?
Class 1 Misdemeanors
For class 1 misdemeanors, the maximum penalties are 6 months in jail, 3 years of probation, and a $2,500 fine.
These are the maximum possible punishments. Typically, courts will keep fines under $1,000, and instead of incarceration, they might mandate counseling, community service, probation, or a combination of the three.
If the court orders you to complete a course or program (anger management classes, for example) it must be through a pre-approved source. The program must be finished in its entirety within the allotted time, otherwise, you could be facing incarceration after all.
Class 6 Felonies
For disorderly conduct involving a deadly weapon or some cases of domestic violence, the charges change from a misdemeanor to a felony.
For class 6 felonies, there is a minimum sentence of 3 months in prison and a maximum fine of $150,000.
The most common sentence for this charge is about one and a half years in Arizona. The maximum financial penalties are set very high for felonies, but typically fines for disorderly conduct are one or two thousand dollars.
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