Walk It Through: Closing Time
Defiant trespass after notice, loud and coarse language, and simple assault.
At closing time, the manager tells a regular to leave, with a drink still on the bar.
Two things a person in this spot might do. Picking one shows what the law says about it.
One night at one bar. Self defense, aggravated assault, and masks worn during a disturbance are not worked through here.
A practice walkthrough, not a prediction of how any real one will go. Legal information, not legal advice.
Words this turns on
Terms with a legal meaning that is narrower than the everyday one. Each links to the definition and the authority behind it.
- Disorderly conductWith purpose to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly risking it, fighting, threatening, behaving violently or tumultuously, or creating a hazardous condition with no legitimate purpose. A petty disorderly persons offense.
- Disorderly persons offenseThe grade below the crimes, punishable by not more than 6 months and a fine up to $1,000.00.
- Petty disorderly persons offenseThe lowest grade, punishable by not more than 30 days and a fine up to $500.00.
- Reckless drivingDriving heedlessly, in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, in a way that endangers or is likely to endanger a person or property.
- Defiant trespassEntering or remaining in a place, knowing one has no right to be there, after notice against trespass by actual communication or posting. A petty disorderly persons offense.
- Simple assaultAttempting to cause, or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causing, bodily injury; negligently causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon; or trying by physical menace to put someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury.