Disorderly conduct charges in Denver are governed by Colorado Revised Statutes §18-9-106. Although the offense is typically classified as a petty offense, a conviction can still result in fines, possible jail time, and a permanent criminal record.
In Denver, these charges frequently arise from alleged disturbances in public places, altercations, or situations where law enforcement believes a person created a public disruption.
Right Law Group represents individuals accused of criminal offenses throughout Denver. Our Denver 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 conduct such as:
Fighting in public
Making unreasonable noise
Displaying a weapon in a threatening manner
Using offensive language likely to provoke a disturbance
Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition in a public place
Many of these allegations depend heavily on an officer’s interpretation of 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 arising within the City and County of Denver are generally handled in:
Denver County Court for petty offenses and misdemeanors
Denver District Court for more serious criminal charges
Cases often begin with an investigation by the Denver Police Department before being referred to the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
If you are unfamiliar with the process, our page explaining the Colorado criminal justice process outlines how cases typically progress through investigation, arraignment, and trial.
Although disorderly conduct is usually classified as a petty offense, penalties can still include:
Fines
Possible jail time
Court costs and fees
A permanent criminal record
Even minor criminal convictions may have long-term consequences for employment, housing, or professional licensing.
In some cases, disorderly conduct charges appear alongside other criminal allegations.
Common related charges may include:
assault allegations
resisting arrest
When multiple allegations are involved, it becomes important to understand how each charge may affect the overall case.
If you are facing disorderly conduct allegations in Denver, 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 Denver are handled in Denver County Court, though more serious cases may proceed in Denver 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.
