Criminal law
Public order offence solicitors
Public Order Offences can range from being drunk and disorderly in a public place to using threatening behaviour or taking part in a riot. In any event, fines and custodial sentences are all options available to a court of law, meaning that you need to speak to an expert defence solicitor right away.
Public order offence charges
Slater and Gordon’s criminal defence solicitors have the experience you need if you’ve been charged with a public order offence. Call us now on 0330 041 5869 or contact us and we’ll call you.
Talk to a criminal defence solicitor today
Contact usCan you help if I’ve been charged with a public order offence?
The law regarding public order offences, as set out in the Public Order Act 1986, is designed to deter and punish the use of violence or intimidation by individuals and groups.
As such, it makes it an offence to be drunk and disorderly in a public place, which is defined as ‘using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards another person’. While this is at the lower end of public order offences, it can lead to criminal charges being brought, which can impact on your livelihood in the future.
At the other end of the spectrum, public order offences include:
- Riot: Defined as when 12 or more people come together to use or threaten unlawful violence and can lead to up to five years in prison.
- Violent Disorder: Defined as when three or more people use or threaten unlawful violence towards another person, causing a person of reasonable firmness to fear for their personal safety, which can lead to up to five years in prison.
- Affray: Defined as using or threatening unlawful violence towards another person, causing a person of reasonable firmness to fear for their personal safety, which can lead to up to three years in prison.
With such severe sentences possible and the added threat of unlimited fines in the most aggravated cases, charges brought under the Public Order Act are not to be taken lightly.
If you’ve been charged with any public order offence, call us on 0330 041 5869 right away, or contact us and we’ll call you.
Will a public order offence give me a criminal record?
Conviction of any public order offence is a serious matter, which is why it’s essential to seek advice and representation from one of Slater and Gordon’s experienced criminal defence solicitors as soon as you’ve been charged with any public order offence. Ideally, you should do this before giving a statement to the Police.
If you’re found guilty of any public order offence - even being drunk and disorderly without causing any significant harm or distress – you’ll have a criminal record that may harm your chances of employment in the future, particularly in careers where Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks are likely to be made.
However, for some of the less serious public order offences, our experienced public order solicitors may be able to seek an ‘alternative disposal’ such as being bound over to keep the peace.
The Police are sometimes agreeable to alternative disposals like this where they don’t feel a prosecution for assault is necessary but do wish to remind someone of their responsibilities to behave themselves, or not to harass certain people. In these cases, we would request a ‘non-conviction bind-over’, which would avoid a guilty verdict, and therefore a criminal record.
In order to seek the best outcome following a public order offence, it’s essential to call an experienced criminal defence solicitor right away.
Phone us on 0330 041 5869 or contact us online and we’ll call you.
From start to finish Slater and Gordon solicitors dealt with my case I fantastic fashion. My solicitor was outstanding. He was thorough and diligent in his work, his professional approach ensured that I was at ease with my situation. I felt that I was in safe hands. I couldn't recommend them highly enough. S S (criminal defence case)
I found my solicitor to be friendly, professional and courteous and furthermore ALWAYS available either by phone or near instant email replies. My case looked cut and dry and I was expecting a lengthy ban and fine, somehow the case was thrown out!! Mr Q, Essex (criminal defence case)
I was represented by Slater and Gordon in a drink driving case. They could not have been more helpful. My solicitor supported me with understanding and consideration; listening to my concerns and worries prior to the case, whilst supplying me with sensible and practical advice. I could not have managed this awful experience without the support I gained from Slater and Gordon. Mrs A, South East (criminal defence case)
We have no hesitation in recommending your company to our friends and family. You have always been on hand to answer any queries and was able to explain every step of the process in a clear and concise way. It has been one of the most upsetting and stressful times over the last month or so, but has helped having you on our side. G B (criminal defence case)
My solicitor was caring, professional, thorough in her approach and her attention details was what was needed on the day. I had a positive result that day and I am certain that without their help this would not have been possible. Anonymous (criminal defence case)
