Disorderly Conduct in Tennessee
Disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor in the state of Tennessee and is a kind of “catch-all” charge for minor offenses involving some kind of alleged unruly or upsetting behavior that provokes a disturbance.
All too often, disorderly conduct stems from a police officer giving someone a hard time until they lose control. Indeed, this is the exact allegation of colleagues of Henry Louis Gates Jr. who was arrested for disorderly conduct in his home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after a neighbor reported seeing Mr. Gates breaking into his own home. Reportedly, Mr. Gates believed he was shocked when police continued to question him after he showed them his Harvard faculty ID. According to the police, Mr. Gates got angry, followed them out of the house, and accused them of being racists. According to some views of the incident, the police officers acted in retaliation by arresting Mr. Gates for disorderly conduct.
Examples of disorderly conduct in Tennessee include:
- Fighting,
- Violent or threatening behavior,
- Refusal to obey official order during an emergency situation,
- Creating a hazard (e.g., obstructing traffic), or
- Creating an offensive condition (e.g., using extremely offensive or abusive language targeted at a police officer).
As you can see, a wide range of behaviors can fall under the rubric of disorderly conduct. Likewise, many have been arrested without legitimate reason or without proper cause.
Although disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor and may not seem consequential, a misdemeanor can go on your permanent record, which can be viewed by educational institutions and future employers. Moreover, some types of disorderly conduct can be charged as felonies, such as assault and evading arrest. A misdemeanor conviction can also include fines, community service, compulsory counseling and a brief stay in jail. However, if this is the first time you have been charged, the sentence may be suspended under an alternative sentencing plan. Consult an experienced criminal defense attorney to learn more about your legal options.
A skilled TN criminal defense attorney at Baker Associates can help you fight against a conviction and can work to prevent many of the aforementioned consequences. But, an effective defense largely depends on your timely consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.
At Baker Associates, we are very familiar with the local courts and proceedings related to disorderly conduct and can help you to defend against disorderly conduct charges. Call one of our experienced misdemeanor crimes attorneys today.
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