Disorderly conduct calls are often the leading reason for police calls in Ocean City, Maryland in the summer when tourists and Marylanders flock to the town to spend time at the beaches. This summer with everyone anxious to get out after more than a year of pandemic-related restrictions, crowds and the kind of behavior that can lead to disorderly conduct charges is expected to reach all-time highs.
Disorderly conduct can be a bit of a vague charge. Some say that Maryland law enforcement uses it as a “catch-all” for public disturbances. In general, an Ocean City, Maryland disorderly conduct charge stems from acting willfully in a way that disturbs the public peace and involves conduct that happens in a public place.
Common examples of Ocean City, Maryland disorderly conduct charges include public intoxication and public arguments as well as bar fights.
Other actions that can lead to disorderly conduct charges include intentionally acting in a manner that disturbs the peace of the public; willfully disobeying a reasonable order from a police officer to prevent a disturbance of the peace; making an unreasonable loud noise to disturb the peace of another in a public place and entering the premises of another person for the purpose of disturbing the peace by making an unreasonably loud noise or acting in a disorderly manner.
There have been several recent examples of disorderly conduct. In one instance, a young man in Ocean City was found guilty of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 30 days in jail after he was seen jumping up and down and allegedly incited a large crowd that had gathered.
In another instance, two men entered an Ocean City restaurant when the pandemic-related requirement of wearing a mask was in force and left after being asked by the restaurant’s employees to put on masks. They returned a short time later and confronted the workers, throwing bottles and other items at employees before fleeing on foot. One of the men was arrested a short time later and charged with disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and disturbing the peace.
Disorderly conduct can be punished by up to 60 days in jail and a fine up to $500. The convictions are classified as misdemeanors.
If you are convicted of public intoxication, you can receive a sentence of up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $100.
Stiffer penalties are a possibility for repeated disorderly conduct convictions, especially if alcohol is involved.
An Ocean City disorderly conduct lawyer can help you with your criminal charge. An experienced attorney can go over the facts of your case to determine the best defense. The consultation is free.
The Law Office of Thomas J. Maronick is open during the pandemic and will continue to meet your Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Baltimore, Essex, Ocean City, Towson, White Marsh disorderly conduct defense needs. There are several ways to contact the law firm. If you have access to Zoom, we can meet with you remotely. You can contact Thomas Maronick on his cellphone at 202.288.0167, the law office at 410-881-4022 or via the website.
