People in Stuart, Florida can face disorderly conduct charges for many different things, including violating COVID-19 isolation or quarantine orders as demonstrated by a case in April 2020. People charged with disorderly conduct or other similar offenses should talk to an experienced Stuart criminal lawyer at the law firm of Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates, LLC.
According to law enforcement officers, a 38-year-old woman was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct on April 1, 2020, after several witnesses spotted her walking around downtown Stuart and shopping in retail shops. At the time, the woman was reportedly waiting for the results of a COVID-19 test. Gov. Ron DeSantis had issued an executive order for people to isolate or quarantine for 14 days if they were under investigation for COVID-19.
The woman had reportedly posted a video to Facebook a few hours before the incident stating that she believed she was likely positive for COVID-19. Several people called the police to report her after seeing her in the downtown area of Stuart. The police officers placed her under arrest for violating the governor’s executive order and for disorderly conduct. The woman’s social media posts indicated that she had symptoms several days before she received a test. When the police contacted her, she denied experiencing symptoms any longer. After her arrest, she was released with an ankle bracelet.
Under § 877.03, Fla. Stat. (2020), disorderly conduct is a second-degree misdemeanor offense. You can be charged with disorderly conduct if you engage in conduct that offends the public’s sense of decency, corrupts public morals, negatively affects the safety and peace of others, brawl, fight, or otherwise cause a breach of the peace. Since the language of this statute is broad, it means that people can be charged with disorderly conduct for many different actions. If you are convicted of disorderly conduct, you can face up to 60 days in jail and a fine of $500. Since disorderly conduct is a second-degree misdemeanor, a conviction will also mean that you will have a criminal record.
Get help from an experienced Stuart disorderly conduct lawyer
While disorderly conduct is a very commonly charged offense, it can result in serious penalties. If you are facing disorderly conduct charges, you should talk to an experienced Stuart criminal lawyer as soon as possible. Stuart disorderly conduct lawyer Jonathan Jay Kirshner has been board certified in Florida since 1984 as a criminal trial lawyer. If you or your loved one is involved in a similar legal situation, contact Jonathan Jay Kirschner, Esq., & Associates, LLC at (772) 489-8501.
