Disorderly conduct is a crime in Wisconsin, but it’s a broad-ranging one. Unfortunately, there’s a wide range of actions that can fall under the law – so when most people are charged with this type of crime, they turn to a disorderly conduct defense attorney for help.
Disorderly Conduct in Wisconsin: What the Law Says
The law says, “Whoever, in a public or private place, engages in violent, abusive, profane, boisterous, unreasonably loud or otherwise disorderly conduct under circumstances in which the conduct tends to cause or provoke a disturbance.”
That means nearly any type of conduct can count as “disorderly,” and it also means that you may need a skilled defense attorney on your side.
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in Milwaukee (and Elsewhere in Wisconsin)
If the court convicts you of disorderly conduct, you’re looking at a Class B misdemeanor. And while some people believe that a misdemeanor isn’t that serious, consider this: Once you’re convicted of a crime, it stays on your criminal record forever (unless you’re eligible for criminal record expungement). When you fill out job applications or rental applications, and even sometimes when you apply for credit, you must say that you’ve been convicted of a crime.
The penalties can be serious, too. If you’re convicted of disorderly conduct, you could spend up to 90 days in jail. The judge can also sentence you to pay fines of up to $1,000, even if you’ll be in jail for 90 days and won’t be able to work to earn money.
Do You Need to Talk to an Attorney About Disorderly Conduct in Wisconsin?
Because disorderly conduct is such a broadly defined term, it could apply to just about any type of behavior. For many people, the best course of action is to call a Milwaukee criminal defense attorney for help. You can call us at 414-383-6700 or get in touch with us online to schedule a free consultation as soon as you can.
