What is the Process Following Disorderly Conduct

[Jaymous]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania.

The short version of my story is that I got very drunk. Became irrate and argued with a bartender and did some damage to the landscaping of the bar. An officer detained me, I was held in the police station briefly, then the office attempted to call someone to pick me up, but no one was available. The officer took me home, uncuffed me on my front porch, followed me into my apartment, told me not to come back out and left.

It has been four days and I haven't heard anything, and the local paper only reported it as a one-liner in the daily police call log, my name wasn't even mentioned.

My question is, what reprecussions can I expect and what is the process at this point? My memory of the events are hazy but I remember the officer mentioning public drunkuness and disorderly conduct, but I wasn't given any papers that night.

This is my first offense of any kind and I've begun the process of seeking counceling for my problem.

[ashman165]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Pennsylvania.

The short version of my story is that I got very drunk. Became irrate and argued with a bartender and did some damage to the landscaping of the bar. An officer detained me, I was held in the police station briefly, then the office attempted to call someone to pick me up, but no one was available. The officer took me home, uncuffed me on my front porch, followed me into my apartment, told me not to come back out and left.

It has been four days and I haven't heard anything, and the local paper only reported it as a one-liner in the daily police call log, my name wasn't even mentioned.

My question is, what reprecussions can I expect and what is the process at this point? My memory of the events are hazy but I remember the officer mentioning public drunkuness and disorderly conduct, but I wasn't given any papers that night.

This is my first offense of any kind and I've begun the process of seeking counceling for my problem.

What will happen depends a lot on what the other involved parties want to do. Your best bet is to call the police department and get a copy of the paperwork with your name it. That will tell you straight away if charges are being referred to the prosecutor. They needn't have filed charges that night as they have quite a bit of time to decide whether to prosecute, or not.

You could also, and this would be wise even if no charges are pending, offer to the owner of the bar to cover any repair costs affiliated with your outburst.

[Jaymous]

I was hesitant to call the department because I didn't want to make things worse on myself.

When I call, do I say just that: "I'd like to get a copy of paperwork with my name on it."?

[ashman165]

I was hesitant to call the department because I didn't want to make things worse on myself.

When I call, do I say just that: "I'd like to get a copy of paperwork with my name on it."?

How would it make things worse on you? The most they can do is arrest you and refer charges to the prosecutor. They've already done at least half of that. They can't rearrest you for it.

Only something negative can come of not-knowing: whether you remember being told or not doesn't affect whether they filed charges, or not. Not knowing precludes you from adequately defending yourself, or at least knowing when to show up to court. Missing a court date is generally frowned upon. Apparently, judges are of the opinion that adults should be able to show up to places on time. Barring a person's ability to do it on their own, judges have ways to make sure you'll be available when next you're needed: jail. You can wait there until your court date.

But, what if they didn't file charges? Then you're going to walking around wondering "what if they did file charges?" One presumes that at least knowing what to expect is preferable to not knowing.

I'd hold off on offering to pay for damages until you talk with the cops, though. If they're filing charges, then in some places you can have certain charges dropped by getting the reporting party to agree to it by having you cover their damages. Sometimes, not. But if charges have been filed, at least then you'll likely have a lawyer who can best advise you on what's the happenings in your area.

Yeah, just call up the PD and tell them your name, that you were in for a brief visit the other day and you received no paperwork upon discharge and want to find out what's going on and what not. (Although, I must say I've never before seen anyone leave jail without at least one piece of paperwork.)

[Jaymous]

I called records and they told me they couldn't release the paperwork because it's an active investigation. They suggested I call the officer on the case, but he works midnight to 8 a.m.




Thank you for your assistance.

[ashman165]

I called records and they told me they couldn't release the paperwork because it's an active investigation. They suggested I call the officer on the case, but he works midnight to 8 a.m.

He likely has voicemail. Leave him a message. It's important while you're talking to him that you do not discuss the happenings of the night in question. Remember, anything you say can be used against you. That's usually read as will be used against you. Just ask your question straightforward and politely - I emphasize politely - as to what the disposition of the case is so far. Leave your inquiry at that. Do not answer his questions, and if he asks them make it clear that you're exerting your rights not to discuss your conduct; you are merely inquiring as to the status of the case. If he persists in asking you questions, remain polite, but firm that you have no intention of discussing the matter; you only want to determine what, if any, paperwork you should have gotten, and whether or not they are filing charges.

If he won't answer you, that's a sign that you probably need to get ready to get an attorney.

[Jaymous]

They say he doesn't have voicemail, he's just a patrol officer.

[ashman165]

They say he doesn't have voicemail, he's just a patrol officer.

Well, there is surely some way to leave him a message; that much I can't assist you with as you'll have to figure out how your local PD handles that.