Baltimore Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

Maryland law prescribes the penalty and consequences if charged and convicted of disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace. Under Maryland Criminal Law 10-201, the crimes of Disturbing the Peace and Disorderly Conduct are defined.
If you’re facing disturbing the peace or disorderly conduct charges in Baltimore, Maryland, you will need an experienced criminal defense lawyer on your side. Rice, Murtha & Psoras can help protect your rights and freedom and help you avoid jail time, fines and lengthy probation if charged.

Baltimore Disorderly Conduct and Related Crimes

Maryland criminal laws are specific when it comes to disorderly conduct and the Court and State’s Attorney’s offices in and around Baltimore take the crimes seriously. While these crimes are classified as “Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct and Sensibilities,” they are more closely defined as crimes that disrlaw-abidingding citizens’ lives.
Contained in the Maryland Criminal Law Article 10-201, there are five crimes that are prohibited in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. They include:

  1. Obstructing and hindering;
  2. Disorderly conduct;
  3. Fail to obey a lawful order;
  4. Disturb the peace; and
  5. Unreasonable loud noise.

Obstructing and Hindering in Baltimore, Maryland

If an individual is charged with obstructing and hindering, they could be facing a penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. This may be in addition to a period of probation. Most common charges of obstructing and hindering are charged when an individual places themselves in a position to obstruct the free passage of another person.

Disorderly Conduct Charges in Baltimore, Maryland

Disorderly conduct charges are serious in Baltimore, Maryland, that if convicted, can result in a misdemeanor conviction. For a person to be found guilty of disorderly conduct, they must act in a manner that disturbs the public peace. That could be screaming or making enough noise that it disturbs neighbors or other individuals considered part of the public. If charged and convicted, a person may face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. In addition, probation and orders from the Court to stay away from a location may accompany the probation order.

Failure to Obey a Lawful Order

When a police officer tells an individual to quiet down or stop acting in a certain manner that is annoying or disturbing the public, the officer may arrest that individual and charge them with failure to obey a lawful order. This may also happen when the police have the authority to order a person to move or leave a property and they refuse or don’t leave. Then the police will typically charge “failure to obey a lawful order.” If convicted, a defendant could face a misdemeanor on their record and up to 60 days in jail and $500 fine.

Disturbing the Peace

Making a loud noise that disturbs the public on land or beach could results in a disturbing the peace charge from police. If charged and convicted of this misdemeanor, the defendant could face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Unreasonable Loud Noise in Baltimore, Maryland

Maryland Criminal Law Article 10-201(c)(5) prohibits the making of an unreasonably loud noise from a land, public place or public conveyance. A public place is defined as a place to which the public or a portion of the public has access and a right to resort for business, dwelling, entertainment, or other lawful purpose. It may also include:

  • a restaurant, shop, shopping center, store, tavern, or other place of business;
  • a public building;
  • a public parking lot;
  • a public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way;
  • a public park or other public grounds;
  • the common areas of a building containing four or more separate dwelling units, including a corridor, elevator, lobby, and stairwell;
  • a hotel or motel;
  • a place used for public resort or amusement, including an amusement park, golf course, race track, sports arena, swimming pool, and theater;
  • an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education;
  • a place of public worship;
  • a place or building used for entering or exiting a public conveyance, including an airport terminal, bus station, dock, railway station, subway station, and wharf; and
  • the parking areas, sidewalks, and other grounds and structures that are part of a public place.

If a person is convicted or this offense, then they could face up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine, or both.

Our Disorderly Conduct Lawyers Can Help

If you are charged with any of these offenses, then you need a criminal defense lawyer by your side when you have too appear in Court. Rice, Murtha & Psoras have defendant clients in the past that have been charged with these various misdemeanors. Contact their office today to schedule a free consultation and learn how they can help you.

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