Tempe Disorderly Conduct Lawyer

Tempe Disorderly Conduct Attorney

A disorderly conduct charge might sound minor, but in Arizona, it can result in jail time, fines, and a criminal record that follows you around for years. If you were charged under A.R.S. 13-2904 in Tempe, you need to take it seriously and get an attorney in your corner before your first court date.

At the Law Offices of T.M. Allen, Attorney Tyler M. Allen has handled disorderly conduct cases in Tempe Municipal Court and Maricopa County Superior Court. He knows how these cases are built, where they tend to fall apart, and how to fight for the best possible outcome for you.

Contact us today for a free case review. 

What Is Disorderly Conduct in Arizona?

Under A.R.S. 13-2904, disorderly conduct covers a wide range of behavior. Arizona law says you can be charged for fighting or seriously disruptive behavior, making unreasonable noise, using offensive or threatening language likely to provoke a physical response, refusing a lawful order to disperse, or recklessly displaying a firearm.

That is a broad definition, and it gets applied broadly. In Tempe, we see these charges come out of bar fights near Mill Avenue, loud parties that escalate when police show up, road rage incidents, protests, and domestic disputes where someone calls 911. Sometimes the charge is legitimate. Other times, officers use disorderly conduct when they want to make an arrest but do not have enough for anything more serious.

What Are the Penalties?

Most disorderly conduct charges in Arizona are Class 1 misdemeanors. A conviction can mean up to 6 months in jail, fines up to $2,500, and up to 3 years of probation.

If a weapon was involved, the charge can be elevated to a Class 6 felony, which carries up to 2 years in prison.

Beyond the immediate penalties, a conviction shows up on background checks. That can affect your job, your housing applications, and any professional licenses you hold. If you are not a U.S. citizen, it can also create immigration problems.

How Attorney Allen Defends These Cases

Every disorderly conduct case is different, but there are several defenses that come up regularly.
One of the most common is an unlawful stop or search. If the officer did not have a legal basis for detaining you or the evidence was gathered improperly, we can move to suppress it. Without that evidence, the prosecution’s case often collapses.

Another strong defense is lack of intent. Disorderly conduct requires that you intentionally or knowingly disturbed the peace. If your behavior was a reaction to being provoked, an accident, or a misread situation, that matters and we will make sure the court hears it.

First Amendment issues come up more than people expect. Not all disruptive or offensive speech crosses the line into criminal conduct under Arizona law. If your charge stems from something you said during a protest, an argument, or a heated exchange, there may be a constitutional defense worth pursuing.

We also look hard at the evidence itself. Police reports are not always accurate. Bodycam footage sometimes tells a different story than what was written down. Witness accounts can be inconsistent. We dig into all of it.

What to Do After a Disorderly Conduct Charge in Tempe

Do not talk to police about the incident without an attorney present. Do not post about it on social media. Write down everything you remember about what happened, including the names of any officers and witnesses, and hold onto any photos, videos, or messages related to the incident.

Then call us. The sooner we can review the police report and start building your defense, the better positioned you are going into court.

Contact a Tempe Disorderly Conduct Lawyer Today

The Law Offices of T.M. Allen offers free consultations for people facing disorderly conduct charges in Tempe. Attorney Tyler M. Allen will sit down with you, go through what happened, and give you honest answers about your options.

Contact us today to get started.