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Colorado Springs Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

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Colorado Springs Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

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Facing disorderly conduct charges in Colorado Springs? The deck is stacked against you. The police, prosecutors—the whole system—wants to see you plead guilty. But not so fast. Don’t let them railroad you.

At the Right Law Group, we know your rights. We know the holes in the government’s case. And we have the experience to beat these bogus charges. We are Colorado Springs disorderly conduct lawyers who live to take on the establishment. While they want to make an example out of you, we want to make them regret ever arresting you.

For decades, we’ve successfully defended hundreds against these petty allegations. We fight hard in court, grinding prosecutors down until they’re begging to drop the case just to get rid of us. Don’t get railroaded. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Constitutes Disorderly Conduct in Colorado?

Under Colorado law, disorderly conduct encompasses a range of behaviors that intentionally or recklessly disturb the peace or jeopardize public safety.

The most common allegations stem from visibly drunk people causing a public disturbance, aggressive yelling or cursing that could spark violence, blaring loud music or noise late into the night, and blocking roads or pedestrian traffic.

Disrupting lawful public gatherings through heckling or other interruptions can also lead to charges. And lewd acts like public urination or nudity sometimes enter the disorderly conduct realm.

But there are limits. Making reasonable noise or accidentally obstructing traffic typically would not rise to the level of criminal charges. The conduct must objectively interfere with others’ rights or breach the peace.

The key is that the accused must act with an intentional, knowing, or reckless mental state. Simply disturbing others by accident is not enough to warrant convictions under Colorado’s law. There must be some deliberateness or conscious disregard of risks.

Penalties for Disorderly Conduct Convictions in Colorado

Under Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-9-106, a disorderly conduct conviction can lead to:

  • Fines – Up to $500 for a first offense, with higher fines up to $1,000 for additional convictions. Fines are the most common penalty.
  • Jail time – Up to 6 months in jail. Potential for consecutive sentences up to 18 months for multiple convictions. Jail time is rare for first offenses absent aggravating factors.
  • Probation – Up to 2 years of supervised probation. Probation terms may include counseling, treatment, community service, avoidance of further charges, and other court-ordered conditions.
  • Community service – Judges may order up to 240 hours of community service in lieu of fines and jail time. Community service may involve work supporting community parks, roads, facilities, homeless shelters, or other public service entities.

In addition to these direct penalties, a disorderly conduct conviction creates a permanent criminal record. This record can negatively impact future employment, housing, loans, and other opportunities. Avoiding conviction whenever possible is critical.

The Steps to Building an Effective Defense

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An effective disorderly conduct defense requires meticulous examination of every aspect of your case to sow doubt and expose flaws.

Experienced defense attorneys start by assessing if proper arrest procedures were followed and if the officer had legitimate probable cause. Any missteps could lead to suppressed evidence or dismissal.

Next, your counsel conducts an in-depth review of the prosecution’s evidence, probing for gaps and inconsistencies that undermine the required elements for conviction. Even minor contradictions raise doubt.

Rigorous cross-examination of key witnesses often exposes credibility issues and contradictions in accounts as well. Impeaching witness testimony plants seeds of uncertainty.

Evaluating circumstances and context can reveal mitigating factors that show the conduct was not intentional or reckless. This can defeat the charges.

Attentive review frequently uncovers critical procedural defects in evidence gathering. Unlawfully obtained evidence may warrant exclusion.

Leveraging identified case weaknesses, counsel can negotiate reduced or dropped charges through plea bargains. Failing that, they pitch compelling alternatives to fines and jail time.

Overall, a diligent pursuit of reasonable doubt and procedural errors systematically dismantles even strong disorderly conduct allegations.

Why Hire an Attorney to Defend Disorderly Conduct Charges?

A seasoned Colorado Springs disorderly conduct attorney will serve as an objective advocate focused wholly on protecting your rights and achieving the best outcome. Their expertise maximizes the chances of reduced or dismissed charges.

Additionally, counsel’s relationships and negotiating skills can secure favorable plea bargains that a pro se defendant likely cannot obtain. Many cases are resolved at this stage.

If a trial is necessary, a skilled criminal defense lawyer’s courtroom skills become critical. Their advocacy can make the difference between conviction and acquittal. Overall, the benefits of experienced representation certainly outweigh the costs.

Get the Strategic Defense You Deserve From Right Law Group’s Disorderly Conduct Attorneys

Facing disorderly conduct charges in Colorado Springs can be daunting, but the experienced local attorneys at Right Law Group can guide you through the process. As former prosecutors, we have unparalleled insights into building an ironclad defense.

Our decades of combined criminal law experience, 500+ glowing reviews, and record of resolving thousands of cases show we have what it takes to protect your rights.

With offices across the state and a zealous, client-focused approach, Right Law Group has the resources and expertise to construct the strongest defense for your unique situation. Don’t leave your reputation and future to chance.

Don’t let one wrong decision impact your life, job or freedom.

Call today for a free case evaluation.

Colorado criminal procedure

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  • Arrest or
    Summons
    01

    Arrest or
    Summons

    The process begins with either an arrest or a summons. The accused is either arrested or served with paperwork summoning them to appear in court. During an arrest, Miranda rights may or may not be read to you. Officers are only required to recite your rights if they intend to question you about potentially incriminating things.

  • Bond Hearing
    02

    Bond Hearing

    In most cases, you're entitled to have a reasonable bond set after you've been arrested. In situations involving domestic violence, the police will request input from the victim before setting a bond. Bonds are set to ensure that a person appears in court at their court dates. If they don’t show up, they forfeit the money that was paid for the bond.

  • Advisement of
    Charges
    03

    Advisement of
    Charges

    Whether you are arrested or given a summons to appear, the court must make sure you understand what crimes you are being accused of committing. This is called advisement of charges. The District Attorney will detail the specific charges against you, and the Judge has to make sure you understand what possible penalties are associated with that charge in the state.

  • Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)
    04

    Preliminary Hearing
    (for Higher Felony
    Charges)

    A preliminary hearing is a way for your defense attorney to challenge the District Attorney’s right to bring charges against you by making them prove that there is reason to believe you committed a crime. The Judge is not deciding your guilt or innocence, but rather whether or not there is probable cause to charge you with the crime in question.

  • Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing
    05

    Pretrial Conference /
    Disposition
    Hearing

    This court date comes after your attorney has reviewed all of the reports and evidence in your case. Here’s where your attorney will engage in plea negotiations with the DA. If they can reach an agreement on the case, you may be able to take a plea bargain. If they cannot reach a resolution, your case will be set for an arraignment or trial date.

  • Arraignment
    06

    Arraignment

    An arraignment is the final date for you to decide how you choose to plea. Guilty or not guilty. If you plead guilty, then the case is set for a sentencing date. If you plead not guilty, you and your attorney will then set the case for trial.

  • Motions Hearing
    07

    Motions Hearing

    A motion hearing is when an attorney makes a request that requires a decision from the judge. For example, motions to suppress evidence or statements. These motions can limit the information that goes before a jury if it benefits your case, and there are legal grounds for doing so.

  • Pretrial Readiness
    Conference
    08

    Pretrial Readiness
    Conference

    A pretrial readiness conference is held at some point before trial. It usually is held about a week to a month before the date trial is set to begin. This court date ensures everyone is ready to go to trial on the set date. It is also a time for lawyers to bring up any issues they may have to be addressed before the day of trial.

  • Jury Trial
    09

    Jury Trial

    After a jury is selected for trial, the District Attorney’s responsibility is to present the case to the jury. The DA must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you are guilty of the crime. Otherwise, the jury must find you innocent. Your attorney will be able to cross-examine all of the witnesses, present evidence, and ultimately help you navigate this process.

  • Sentencing
    Date
    10

    Sentencing
    Date

    At sentencing, the Judge must decide the appropriate legal penalty for the crime you plead guilty. The Judge’s decision is based on the listed penalties for the specific charge, recommendations from the presentence investigation, your criminal history, as well as statements made at the sentencing by the District Attorney, your attorney, you, and any named victims of the crime.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Do police have flexibility in making disorderly conduct arrests?

Yes, police have significant discretion since what constitutes a “breach of the peace” is not concretely defined. Officers can make judgment calls based on the situation.

Can a disorderly conduct conviction still negatively impact me, even if it's just a fine?

Yes, paying a fine still creates a damaging criminal record if not expunged. This record can hurt future employment, education, housing, and other prospects.

What alternatives exist besides fines and jail time?

Community service, treatment programs, and other useful public work may substitute fines/jail if you have a clean record and negotiate properly.

Experienced Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

Colorado Springs Disorderly Conduct Lawyer Near You

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Contact Right Law Group today for dedicated counsel from proven Colorado Springs disorderly conduct defense attorneys. Let our team stand by your side and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have the best representation possible.

Areas Served

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El Paso County

Douglas County

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Arapahoe County

  • Centennial
  • Englewood
  • Greenwood Village
  • Cherry Hills Village
  • Foxfield
  • Sheridan
  • Columbine Valley
  • Byers
  • Southglenn
  • Castlewood
  • Peoria

Pueblo County

Teller County

Fremont County

  • Coaldale
  • Cotopaxi
  • Hillside
  • Howard
  • Texas Creek
  • Wellsville