Disorderly conduct charges in Centennial are governed by Colorado Revised Statutes §18-9-106. Although often classified as a petty offense, a conviction can still result in fines, possible jail time, and a permanent criminal record.
In Centennial, these charges commonly arise from alleged public disturbances, arguments that escalate, or situations where law enforcement believes a person’s behavior disrupted public order.
Right Law Group represents individuals accused of criminal offenses throughout Centennial and Arapahoe County. Our criminal defense attorneys defend clients facing a wide range of misdemeanor and felony allegations.
For a broader explanation of how Colorado criminal charges work, you can review our overview of criminal charges in Colorado.
Under Colorado law, disorderly conduct may involve:
Fighting or threatening behavior in public
Making unreasonable noise
Displaying a weapon in a threatening manner
Using offensive or abusive language likely to provoke a disturbance
Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition
In many cases, these charges rely heavily on how law enforcement interprets the situation.
Because of that, reviewing the facts and evidence carefully is important. Our guide on challenging evidence in criminal cases explains how evidence may be examined in Colorado criminal defense cases.
Disorderly conduct charges in Centennial are typically handled in:
Arapahoe County Court (most petty offenses and misdemeanors)
Arapahoe County District Court (more serious or related charges)
Cases may begin with investigations conducted by local law enforcement agencies before being referred to prosecutors.
If you’re unfamiliar with how cases move forward, our overview of the Colorado criminal justice process outlines how cases typically progress through investigation, arraignment, and trial.
Even though disorderly conduct is usually a petty offense, penalties can still include:
Fines
Possible jail time
Court costs and fees
A permanent criminal record
A conviction may also impact employment, housing, and background checks.
In some situations, disorderly conduct charges may be filed alongside other allegations.
Common related charges include:
assault allegations
resisting arrest
When multiple charges are involved, understanding how they interact becomes important in evaluating the case.
If you are facing disorderly conduct allegations in Centennial, understanding your rights and legal options is an important first step.
You can request assistance through our free consultation page.
Disorderly conduct under C.R.S. §18-9-106 may include fighting in public, making unreasonable noise, displaying a weapon in a threatening way, or creating a public disturbance.
Yes. Disorderly conduct is generally classified as a petty offense, but it is still a criminal charge that can result in fines, possible jail time, and a permanent record.
Most disorderly conduct cases in Centennial are handled in Arapahoe County Court, though some related charges may proceed in Arapahoe County District Court.
In some cases, charges may be reduced or dismissed depending on the evidence, witness testimony, and circumstances of the alleged incident.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Yes, paying a fine still creates a damaging criminal record if not expunged. This record can hurt future employment, education, housing, and other prospects.
Community service, treatment programs, and other useful public work may substitute fines/jail if you have a clean record and negotiate properly.
