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Charged with Disorderly Conduct? Read this First

Posted by Scott Markowitz | Mar 09, 2026 | 0 Comments

So you caught a disorderly conduct charge. Maybe it was a loud argument, a scuffle at a bar, or just a night that got out of hand. Whatever happened โ€” don't panic. Here's what you need to know. ๐Ÿ‘‡

What Even IS Disorderly Conduct in Texas? ๐Ÿค”

Under Texas Penal Code ยง 42.01, disorderly conduct covers a surprisingly wide range of behavior, including:

๐Ÿ”Š Making unreasonable noise in a public place ๐Ÿคฌ Using abusive or vulgar language likely to provoke a fight ๐Ÿ‘Š Getting into a physical altercation in public ๐Ÿ”ซ Displaying a firearm in a way that causes alarm ๐Ÿ˜ถ Exposing yourself in public

It sounds minor โ€” and sometimes it is. But it can still result in a Class C or Class B misdemeanor depending on the circumstances.

What Are the Penalties? ๐Ÿ˜ฌ

โš ๏ธ Class C Misdemeanor โ€” Up to a $500 fine (no jail time) โš ๏ธ Class B Misdemeanor โ€” Up to 180 days in jail AND up to a $2,000 fine

Even a Class C can show up on your record and affect jobs, housing, and more. That's why it's worth taking seriously.

Can It Be Fought? Absolutely. ๐Ÿ’ช

Just because you were charged doesn't mean you'll be convicted. A skilled defense attorney can argue:

โœ… The behavior didn't meet the legal definition โœ… Your actions were protected free speech โœ… There were no witnesses or insufficient evidence โœ… Law enforcement overreacted or misidentified you

Don't Let One Bad Night Follow You Forever. ๐Ÿ“ž

A disorderly conduct charge might seem small, but it can have real consequences. The good news? With the right legal team in your corner, you have options โ€” including dismissal or expunction.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Call us today for a free consultation. We fight for you.

About the Author

Scott Markowitz

Scott Markowitz is a 2nd generation attorney, graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Houston Law School. He is a Texas Gulf Coast native and established the Markowitz Law Firm in 1994. "Empathetic and tenacious" is how some describe Scott. Those qualities coupled with his robu...

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