Arrested at MetLife Stadium? How to Fight Disorderly Conduct Charges Without Getting a Criminal Record
“People are arrested every week at Giants Stadium for disorderly conduct 2C:33-2. Unfortunately, this disorderly persons offense could leave a criminal charge on your record.”
Arrested for Disorderly Conduct at MetLife Stadium? We can help
MetLife Stadium – Arrested for Disorderly Conduct
Most of the disorderly conduct cases resulting from sporting events or concerts at Metlife Stadium can be handled without the result being a criminal record, but you still need to know what you’re facing. Hiring an attorney increases the chances of that outcome. Please check out our series on How To Beat Disorderly Conduct or take a look at our Top 5 Ways To Beat A Criminal Charge.
East Rutherford NJ Disorderly Conduct Lawyer – Giants Stadium
A Petty Disorderly Persons Offense under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2
I have handled serious criminal charges for a long time resulting from alcohol and football games including disorderly conduct, simple assault, and trespassing. These all stem from incidents at Giants Stadium (now known as “MetLife stadium”).
With sound defense strategies, these cases can be drastically reduced, and can potentially be thrown out of court entirely.
East Rutherford Municipal Court
These charges are handled at the East Rutherford Municipal Court. As a local attorney, I appear with clients in the East Rutherford Court on a regular basis. For a free consultation, please contact me at (201) 556-1571.
Here is the information for the East Rutherford Municipal Court:
East Rutherford Municipal Court
117 Stanley Street
East Rutherford NJ 07073
201-438-0169
Disorderly Conduct Charges At Metlife Stadium – NJSA 2C:33-2
The most common criminal charge we see from Giants Stadium is a petty disorderly persons offense for disorderly conduct under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2. Disorderly conduct essentially means any disruptive or inappropriate behavior.
§ 2C:33-2. Disorderly Conduct
a. Improper behavior. A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense, if with purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof he
(1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior; or
(2) Creates a hazardous or physically dangerous condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose of the actor.
b. Offensive language. A person is guilty of a petty disorderly persons offense if, in a public place, and with purpose to offend the sensibilities of a hearer or in reckless disregard of the probability of so doing, he addresses unreasonably loud and offensively coarse or abusive language, given the circumstances of the person present and the setting of the utterance, to any person present.
Most of the clients we represent in the East Rutherford court are people with no criminal history who had a little too much to drink and got themselves into trouble. This can be a disorderly conduct charge (for drunk or disorderly conduct), simple assault (for a fight with an Eagles fan), or trespassing (for being kicked out of the stadium for drinking too much and then trying to get back in). Regardless, all these criminal charges are serious because you are facing county jail time and a permanent criminal charge on your record. Disorderly persons offenses (like simple assault) include the following penalties:
- Up to six (6) months in the county jail
- Up to a $1,000.00 fine
- Probation
- A permanent criminal charge on your record
Petty disorderly persons offenses are subject to the following penalties:
- Up to thirty (30) days in jail
- Up to a $500 fine
- Probation
- A permanent criminal charge on your record
Request Discovery Evidence, Negotiate Plea Agreement, Prepare for Trial
Our experienced criminal lawyers are often able to negotiate a downgrade of these criminal offenses to a non-criminal charge which results in a fine and no record. This is essentially a noise violation which is on the level of a littering ticket. This is crucial in our clients ability to avoid jail and a criminal charge on their record.
We request all of the evidence from the East Rutherford Municipal Prosecutor which usually includes the following:
- Copy of the criminal complaints filed against the defendant
- Police reports
- Witness stadiums
- Bodycam footage
- Video footage from the stadium
- Pictures of damage to property or injuries to the alleged victim
Once we receive the evidence, we appear in the East Rutherford Court for a status conference to discuss the case with the prosecutor and try to negotiate a favorable resolution on behalf of our client, most importantly no jail time and no criminal record. If the case can’t be resolved with a plea agreement or dismissal of the charges, then the case will be scheduled for trial. A trial in Municipal Court is before a Judge (there is no jury) and the State must prove the charges against the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Disorderly Conduct Charges at Metlife Stadium
FAQ: Is disorderly conduct a criminal charge? Yes, it’s a petty disorderly persons offense which is the lowest level criminal charge we have in NJ. If convicted, you will have a criminal record.
FAQ: Do I need a lawyer for this case? Because you are exposed to jail time and a permanent criminal charge on your record, you should hire an attorney if you can afford one.
FAQ: Where will this disorderly conduct charge be held? If you have no other charges, in the East Rutherford Municipal Court. If you have any felony charges like aggravated assault or weapons possession, then everything will be transferred to the Bergen County Superior Court.
Local Attorneys Bergen County for Disorderly Conduct Charge East Rutherford
If you or a loved one has been arrested for disorderly conduct at Metlife Stadium, contact our offices now for immediate assistance at 201-556-1570. The initial consultation is always provided free of charge.
