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How Can a College Student Defend a Disorderly Conduct Charge?

By September 23, 2024No Comments

Being charged with disorderly conduct can be a scary and overwhelming experience, especially for a college student. It can have serious consequences, including fines, jail time, and a permanent mark on your record that could impact your future career opportunities.

If you’re a college student facing a disorderly conduct charge, it’s important to understand your options and take steps to protect your rights.

In this blog, the student defense lawyers at DC Student Defense in Washington, D.C. explain what disorderly conduct involves and how you can best protect yourself and your future if you are facing one of these charges. 

What is Disorderly Conduct?

Disorderly conduct is a broad legal term that can encompass a variety of behaviors, including:

  • Loud noises, fighting, or other disruptive behavior.
  • Public intoxication. This can include being drunk or high in public.
  • Engaging in offensive language or gestures, including using profanity or making obscene gestures.
  • Resisting arrest or refusing to comply with a police officer’s orders.

The specific definition of disorderly conduct can vary from state to state, so it’s important to consult with an attorney to understand the laws in your jurisdiction and to review your school’s code of conduct for any additional stipulations so you are fully informed.

How Can a College Student Defend a Disorderly Conduct Charge?

There are a number of defenses that a college student can use to fight a disorderly conduct charge, including:

  • Lack of evidence: The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the offense. If there is insufficient evidence, the charge may be dismissed.
  • Self-defense: If you were acting in self-defense, you may be able to use this as a defense.
  • Freedom of speech: If your alleged disorderly conduct involved speech, you may be able to argue that it was protected by the First Amendment.
  • False arrest: If you were arrested without probable cause, you may be able to argue that the arrest was unlawful.

What Should a College Student Do if They're Charged with Disorderly Conduct?

If you’re a college student facing a disorderly conduct charge, the most important step for you to take is to contact an attorney who is well-versed in helping defend students as quickly as possible. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you understand your rights and options, and develop a strong defense strategy.

Your attorney will also work with you to gather any evidence needed to strengthen your case. This may include witness statements, photos, or videos.

It’s also essential that you avoid talking to the police or anyone else about your case before you’ve had a chance to consult with an attorney. Remember: anything you say to the police can be used against you in court.

Lastly, cooperation and respect are key, so it’s important to attend all court and any campus hearings. But don’t worry, your attorney will prep you beforehand, ensuring you have everything you need to protect your rights during these hearings and standing by your side every step of the way.

Contact the Student Defense Lawyers at DC Student Defense Today

A disorderly conduct charge can have serious consequences, but it doesn’t have to ruin your life. With the help of an experienced student defense attorney like Shan Wu, you can fight the charge and protect your future.

We have helped countless students facing various accusations understand their rights and successfully stand up against civil and criminal accusations. If you’re a college student facing a disorderly conduct charge, contact us today for a confidential consultation. We can help you understand your rights and options, and develop a strong defense strategy – together.

Shan Wu

Author Shan Wu

Shan’s professional and personal background gives him a unique understanding of academic institutions and the criminal justice system. A former federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C., he is at home in D.C. Courts and very familiar with all of the Washington, D.C. law enforcement agencies, especially the Metropolitan Police Department. His parents were university professors so he grew up in a university environment. He understands the mindset of academic institutions. As a prosecutor, he supervised in the misdemeanor crime section. This is the section of the Washington, D.C. prosecutor’s office that handles most college student cases. His understanding of charging decisions and how judges view these cases is invaluable to his student clients and their families. Shan served as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia for over ten years. During his tenure there, now Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. appointed him to supervisory positions in the Misdemeanor Trial Section and also in a police corruption task force. His outstanding legal work in the government was recognized through numerous Special Achievement Awards from the Justice Department as well as awards conveyed by law enforcement agencies and community groups. From 1999-2000, Shan served as Counsel to Attorney General Janet Reno, advising her on criminal and civil investigations, E-Gov, E-Commerce (electronic signatures, internet gambling, internet telephony, privacy & public access issues in electronic court filings), congressional oversight, and legislative review. His responsibilities included serving as liaison to the FBI, DEA, Criminal Division, Executive Office of United States Attorneys, National Institute of Justice, and White House Counsel’s Office. Shan serves on the D.C. Bar Association’s Hearing Committee of the Board on Professional Responsibility and is a past president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association for the Greater Washington, D.C. area. He is a 1988 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, where he graduated Order of the Barristers, edited two law reviews, and was Co-Director of the Moot Court Program. He holds a B.A. in English Literature from Vassar College as well as a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from Sarah Lawrence College. Following law school, he clerked for the late Hon. Jerry Buchmeyer, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, and the late Eugene Wright, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is admitted to practice law in the District of Columbia and Connecticut.

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