If you are suspected or alleged to have committed public order offences, you need a defence. Whether or not you've done anything wrong, it is important to instruct experienced public order offence solicitors as soon as possible to help you secure the best possible outcome. There is often a risk of self-incrimination during a police interview, and the penalties for rioting or violent disorder offences can be severe.

While this can be daunting, the team at Switalskis is here to help. We can support you at all stages of the process - from your first interview at a police station, through to any appearances at a Magistrates Court or Crown Court hearing, to an appeal if this is needed. We'll provide advice based on our legal expertise, and take on the responsibility for building your defence to remove as much stress as possible from the process.

At all times, our expert criminal defence solicitors will do their utmost to present the strongest possible defence. We'll also be realistic about your potential outcomes, and the sentence you might be facing, so you know what to expect and can make the necessary decisions about your case. We believe that you have the legal right to a defence, and will stand by your side throughout your case to ensure this right is upheld.

To learn more about our services and how we can help you to defend a charge of public order offences, contact us today. Call Switalskis on 0800 1380 458 , or get in touch through our website . 

Public order offences are a category of criminal offences that involve disrupting public peace. They can apply to many different behaviours that intend to cause a person harassment, alarm or distress, or that create a risk to public or personal safety. Generally, they must affect groups of people or occur in public places to be classed as public order offences, rather than a different type of criminal offence.

The Public Order Act 1986 governs this area of the law and outlines several types of public order offences with which you may be charged:

• Riot involves 12 or more people using or threatening violence with a common purpose, such as to disturb public order. The people involved must intend to use violence or be aware of the likelihood that their actions will be violent, and do not need to threaten unlawful violence simultaneously - the conduct only needs to be threatening enough that a person of "reasonable firmness" present at the scene would be concerned for their safety. All 12 or more participants can be charged and a conviction carries a maximum sentence of a 10-year custodial sentence if you are found guilty.
• Violent Disorder involves three or more people using or threatening unlawful violence, where their collective conduct causes others to fear for their safety. It can be committed in a private place and still result in a charge of violent disorder. The maximum penalty for this type of offence is five years' imprisonment and a fine.
• Affray occurs when a person uses or threatens violence toward another, and their actions would make a bystander of reasonable firmness fear for their safety. It can involve up to two participants - any more would usually represent a riot or violent disorder charge instead. It is punishable by up to three years in prison, a fine or both.
• Fear or Provocation of Violence involves threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour intended to cause another person to fear immediate unlawful violence or to provoke such violence. It can include spoken abusive language, insulting behaviour, writing or other visible representation of abusive words, and carries a maximum sentence of up to six months' imprisonment.
• Harassment, Alarm or Distress involves the use of abusive or threatening words or behaviour, or displaying material likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, even without the intent to cause harm. This is often dealt with as a summary offence that usually results in a fine or another minor penalty. However, a similar offence called Intentional Harassment, Alarm, or Distress is taken much more seriously. This occurs when someone uses threatening, abusive or insulting words, behaviour or displays to cause intentional harassment, alarm or distress. It demands that the prosecution prove that you intended to cause harm, but can carry a custodial sentence.

You may not know in the early stages of an investigation what charges you are likely to face, but the experts at Switalskis can discuss your circumstances and help you understand what to expect. These maximum sentences are only a guide, and aggravating or mitigating factors can make a big difference. For example, if weapons were present, harm was caused, or the disorderly behaviour happened near a school or hospital, these aspects could all lead to a stronger sentence. Similarly, if the alleged threatening behaviour involved inciting racial or religious hatred, the case is likely to be taken more seriously and result in a stronger penalty.