Fights in a bar aren’t that uncommon, even around the holidays. Frankly, sometimes all it takes for people to misdirect their holiday frustrations toward strangers is a little alcohol and a crowded space.
If you’re arrested after a Florida bar fight, here are some potential charges you might face:
Disorderly conduct
Disorderly conduct is essentially a “breach of the peace” in a public setting. This is most likely the charge you can expect if the fight turns loud, but not overly violent. Don’t take the charges lightly, however. While usually a second-degree misdemeanor, a public fight that escalates into a brawl or a riot can be treated as a first-degree misdemeanor or a third-degree felony — and the penalties can include a year of imprisonment.
Disorderly intoxication
This is the sort of charge that police use when someone’s temper gets the best of them while they’re drinking and they become a public nuisance, endangering themselves and others. The police might escort you home instead of taking you to jail — but that doesn’t mean you aren’t in trouble. In addition, three charges like this in a year’s time gets you labeled a “habitual offender” and can allow the court to force you into a treatment program against your will.
Assault and battery
If a bar fight escalates past name-calling and shoving and you injure someone, you could be charged with assault and battery — even if the injuries are mild. Assault is the act of intentionally causing someone to physically fear you, while battery is following through on that threat. (Essentially, assault is raising your fist to throw a punch and battery is actually throwing it.)
These are the mildest charges you can potentially face after a bar fight. Depending on the circumstances, you could also find yourself charged with aggravated battery (which means that you picked up something to use as a weapon in the fight), or felony battery (which means that you caused someone a serious injury). If someone dies, you could even be looking at manslaughter charged.
If you’re visiting Florida this holiday season, keep your temper in check and stay away from bar fights. If you do end up in an altercation, make sure that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney protecting your rights.