Defending Yourself Against a Disorderly Conduct Charge at a Casino
Casinos are not exactly places where people are on their best behavior. There may be too much drinking and smoking going on. And of course, there’s gambling and partying.
Casinos can be rowdy, which means people may be breaking the law. Alcohol can affect a person’s judgment, causing them to start a fight.
A fight or other type of disruptive behavior can result in a disorderly conduct charge. While these charges may not seem major, they can still come with fines and jail time. See how a New Jersey criminal defense lawyer can help you defend yourself.
What the Law Says
Disorderly conduct is outlined in NJ Rev Stat § 2C:33-2. The law states that a person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense if they cause a public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly create a risk.
A person may be charged with disorderly conduct if they:
- Engage in fighting, threatening behavior, or act in a violent or disruptive way.
- Create a hazardous or physically dangerous situation through actions that have no legitimate purpose.
- Use loud, abusive, or offensive language, considering the people nearby and the context in which it is said.
- Wear a mask or disguise to hide their identity with the intent to cause fear, obstruct law enforcement, or avoid arrest.
How to Defend Yourself
First of all, do not admit to the crime. Even if you think you might be guilty, consult with a lawyer first, as a conviction can have lasting consequences.
You’ll want to explore defenses with your criminal defense attorney. Common defenses include:
- Lack of intent. You may argue that you didn’t intend to cause a disturbance or act disorderly.
- Self-defense. If you were trying to defend yourself, that could be a valid defense.
- Provocation. Being provoked by another person could be a defense.
- Mistaken identity/false accusation. If you were not the person involved or if the accusation is false, your attorney can try to prove that.
If you don’t have a criminal defense, there are other ways to reduce the charges. Your attorney may be able to negotiate a plea bargain to reduce the charges or penalties, potentially avoiding a criminal record. You can also seek alternative sentencing:
In some cases, community service or other alternatives to a conviction might be possible.
In any case, you’ll want to act quickly. The sooner you hire an attorney, the faster they can start working on your case. Also, you’ll need to preserve evidence. If possible, gather any evidence that supports your defense, such as videos or witness statements.
Contact Us Today
If you have been accused of a crime in a casino, you need to take it seriously. While disorderly conduct is a lesser offense, it can still result in severe penalties.
The New Jersey casino crimes lawyer at Law Offices of Melissa Rosenblum, LLC, is ready to fight for you. We can fight to clear your name against charges like disorderly conduct and other casino crimes. Contact us via (609) 904-6262 or online here to schedule a consultation today.