If you’ve been charged with Disorderly Conduct in Larimer County, Colorado, whether in Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, Wellington, Severance, Timnath, or another Larimer community, it can impact your freedom, reputation, and future opportunities. These charges often stem from what may feel like a momentary lapse in judgment, a public disagreement, or a misunderstanding in a stressful situation.
As a Larimer County criminal defense lawyer, it’s important to look at what the law says about Disorderly Conduct and why these charges often come up in cities and towns like Fort Collins, Estes Park, or Wellington.
What Is “Disorderly Conduct” Under Colorado Law? A Loveland Disorderly Conduct Attorney Explains
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-9-106, a person commits Disorderly Conduct when they intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly do things such as:
- Make unreasonable noise in public or near someone’s home
- Use offensive gestures in public that tend to incite a breach of the peace
- Fight with another in a public place
- Display or use a firearm in public in a way that causes alarm
- Fire a gun in public outside lawful contexts like hunting or target practice
These elements are broad, so what seems like harmless behavior to one person can be criminal to another if it allegedly causes alarm or disrupts the peace. A Fort Collins criminal defense attorney or Loveland criminal defense lawyer reviews the context and intent behind the behavior to determine if the charge is appropriate.
How Disorderly Conduct Charges Play Out in Larimer County
Disorderly Conduct can be charged at different levels depending on the alleged behavior:
- Petty Offense: For minor disturbances like loud shouting, annoying behavior, or offensive comments, punishable with up to 10 days in jail and/or a fine.
- Class 2 Misdemeanor: When the conduct involves creating a serious disturbance, displays a weapon to alarm others, or involves fighting, punishable with up to 120 days in jail and fines.
- Class 1 Misdemeanor: When the conduct involved discharging a firearm in a public place, punishable by up to 364 days in the Larimer County Jail and fines.
In Larimer County, including Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, Timnath, and Severance, prosecutors often charge Disorderly Conduct when parties are involved in public disputes, protests, or confrontations that attract police attention.
A Local Example: Disorderly Conduct in Loveland, Colorado
In a recent Larimer County Court case, a man involved in a verbal encounter at Dwayne Webster Veterans Park in Loveland pleaded guilty to Disorderly Conduct. The plea bargain resulted in a deferred sentence with probation and community service, meaning the charge could be removed from his record if he successfully completes the court ordered requirements. (1310 KFKA)
This case highlights a key point: even when Disorderly Conduct charges are filed, it doesn’t automatically result in a permanent conviction. A skilled Larimer County criminal defense attorney will explore whether a deferred sentence, dismissals, or reductions are appropriate.
Common Scenarios That Trigger Disorderly Conduct Charges
In Larimer County, people often see Disorderly Conduct charges after:
- Public arguments or shouting matches in Fort Collins downtown or near Old Town
- Unruly behavior at festivals or events in Loveland
- Loud disturbances near residences in Estes Park or Wellington
- Fights or physical confrontations in places like Timnath or Severance
- Disputes that draw a police response even when no one is arrested on site
As a Wellington criminal defense lawyer or Estes Park criminal defense attorney, it’s critical to understand not just what happened, but why it happened and how local officers reported the incident.
Penalties for Disorderly Conduct in Larimer County
Disorderly Conduct can carry serious consequences in Larimer County courts:
- Petty offense punishment: Up to 10 days in jail and fines
- Misdemeanor punishment: Potential jail time, fines up to hundreds of dollars, probation, or community service
Even a petty offense conviction can show up on background checks, affecting employment or housing.
Why You Need a Larimer County Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you’re charged with Disorderly Conduct in Fort Collins, Loveland, Estes Park, Wellington, Severance, or Timnath, an experienced Larimer County criminal defense attorney can:
- Review police reports and witness statements
- Evaluate whether the elements of the charge were properly met
- Negotiate deferred sentences, reduced charges, or dismissals
- Advocate for minimized impact on your record and future
Often, what looks like a simple misunderstanding or emotional moment becomes a legal problem only because a police report framed the behavior in criminal terms. A Fort Collins criminal defense lawyer is trained to challenge those interpretations.