Legal Question in Criminal Law in Pennsylvania

Public drunkeness and disorderly conduct

I was at a concert in a crowd that was pushing when another woman came after my wife. We retaliated to defend her and were kicked out by security. They were leading me from the stadium but I asked to wait for my wife to get first aid and whatever else. They then asked my to go back and the police officer didn't like my attitude and that I questioned their tactics, so he arrested me. I was given 2 citations for public drukeness and disorderly conduct. They never gave me a sobriety test and then let me go free to drive home. The fine is $151. Should I fight this? I want to because I think it is unjust, I just don't know if it is worth it. If I just pay the fine, how does this affect my record and follow me? If I do fight it, can the judge impose a heavier sentence if I'm still found guilty? What are my chances of having it overturned from the information provided? Thank you.


Asked on 9/26/07, 12:24 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Re: Public drunkeness and disorderly conduct

Were you intoxicated? Do you have any priors? Were there any witnesses? What do the witnesses say? If you want to fight it, or think about fighting it, deny the charges and ask for any and all records of any kind relating to the citation and review that information. They may not have even documented anything. So, think about it and then decide. Keep in mind what you want and what the town wants - You may want to go to court and talk to the prosecutor and tell him you will plead to something that will not negatively impact your record (what you want), like an ordinance violation and pay a fine, so the town gets the $$ they always want, and the prosecutor does not have top make time for a trial (what he wants) - they hate trials 99% of the time.

Read more
Answered on 9/26/07, 2:22 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Pennsylvania