What You Need to Know About Las Vegas Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct cases are very common in Las Vegas due to the lack of open container laws and other lax city rules. While Las Vegas is famous for being a “good-time” city, it is possible to take the fun too far. Here’s what you need to know about Las Vegas disorderly conduct .

What Does the Law Say in Las Vegas?

Laws regarding disorderly conduct, also referred to as disturbing the peace, prohibit acting in a way likely to annoy or upset others. In Nevada, the police may accuse someone of disorderly conduct if he or she is making loud noises, engaging in offensive or reckless conduct, threatening another person, or fighting someone.

If you incite a disturbance, encourage someone else to disturb the peace, harass another person, or commit some other breach of the peace, the police have the right to detain you and take you to jail. Often, police officers use a disorderly conduct charge to break up a fight and dissuade others from such activity.

Alcohol consumption tends to lead to an increase in disorderly conduct, making Las Vegas one of the top places in the country for this crime. While most people don’t take disturbing the peace charges too seriously, they could lead to jail time and a permanent criminal record.

Consequences of Disorderly Conduct in Clark County

The most common places for disorderly conduct citation in Las Vegas are on the Strip, at casinos, bars, and at protests or rallies. If the police charge you with disorderly conduct, you may face a variety of consequences depending on the circumstances and severity of the crime. If your disorderly conduct citation includes battery or other serious charges, the consequences will be greater.

In general, a disruption of the peace charge comes with up to $1,000 in fines and/or six months in jail. Due to the high volume of Las Vegas disorderly conduct charges, it’s likely that the district attorney’s office will dismiss the charge after you pay a few hundred dollars in fines and agree to community service – if it’s your first offense. For second and subsequent offenders, the fines and service time increase.

Can I Argue a Disorderly Conduct Charge?

The best way to get your disorderly conduct charges dropped or diminished is to talk to a Nevada criminal defense attorney. Breaching the peace may not be a serious charge, but if you don’t go about it the right way, it can turn into a long and expensive process – incurring thousands of dollars in legal fees and potential jail time. With an attorney’s help, you may be able to get your charges dropped or significantly reduced.

Never argue with a police officer during a disorderly conduct arrest. Even if you didn’t cause the breach of peace, comply with the officer and trust your attorney to fight the charges. If you fight with a police officer about a disorderly conduct charge, your case will look much worse in court. The officer may also book you for resisting arrest or assaulting a police officer, which come with greater consequences than the original charge.

Seek Help for Your Criminal Defense Case

If an officer arrests you for an Las Vegas disorderly conduct charge, hire an expert criminal defense lawyer right away. Any criminal conviction can result in serious consequences, including jail time and a permanent record. Hiring an attorney can significantly increase your chances of getting off with a lighter sentence or avoiding consequences altogether.

To achieve the best possible outcome in your case, call (702) 222-9999 to get in touch with De Castroverde Law Group in Las Vegas. We have experience in defending minor and major criminal charges in the area, and will keep you in the loop every step of the way. Contact us online or over the phone to request a free case evaluation regarding your disorderly conduct charges.