The classification for a misdemeanor in Michigan is a crime that is punishable by 1 year or less in jail. A common misdemeanor charge in Macomb and Oakland County is “disorderly conduct” and can be found at MCL 750.167. The offense of disorderly conduct covers situations which are deemed to frustrate public tranquility and peace. In Michigan, disorderly conduct is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and/or $100 fine, for the following conduct:

• A person who refuses or neglects to support his or her family
• A common prostitute
• A window peeper
• A person who engages in an illegal occupation
• A person who is intoxicated in a public place and who is either endangering the safety of another person or property, or is acting in a manner that causes a public disturbance
• A person who is engaged in indecent conduct in a public place
• A vagrant
• A person found begging in a public place
• A person found loitering in a house of ill fame or prostitution or lewdness is practiced, encouraged or allowed
• A person who knowingly loiters in or about a place where an illegal occupation or business is conducted
• A person who loiters in or about a police station, hospital, court building or other public building or place for the purpose of soliciting employment of legal services or the services of sureties
• A person who is found jostling or roughly crowding people unnecessarily in a public place
• A person who is intoxicated while hunting with a firearm or other weapon

Our firm has defended persons charged with disorderly conduct in every court from Sterling Heights, Clinton Township, Warren to Royal Oak and Detroit who are caught drunk in public, urinating in a public place, gambling or engaged in prostitution. The City of Detroit has a special ordinance for those caught soliciting a prostitute. Please make an appointment at our Clinton Township office for a free consultation if you are charged with any misdemeanor or felony criminal offense including disorderly conduct. We will look at all of the facts and circumstances and make practical recommendations. In many cases, we are able obtain favorable resolutions and avoid exposure of embarrassing details of the case.