Do you need an attorney to fight a Disorderly person charge?

Always always always get a lawyer. Cover your ass hard here you need it. Get a second lawyer, you should be suing everybody in the zip code over the assault. 

If you're a frequent car eater always, always, always keep some disposable flatware in the glovebox.  $16 for 50 sets on Amazon, pre wrapped, fork, spoon, knife, salt/pepper, and a napkin 

Serious dickhead points for ultimately attacking the guy/business because your order was wrong, church it up how you like that's what you did. Serious good guy points for not uh "ending the career" of the guy who attacked you, I would have, most people I know would have. 

Pay for a lawyer, you can always make more money but you can never get that taken off your record.  

Everyone saying sue the guy and the place would not want me on the jury. You cut in front of everyone, followed him behind the counter, waved a knife (plastic does not matter) at him, knocked stuff over, and yelled in his face from what I read.  Sounds like you started it, he finished it. I'd find for them over you.

In reply to Steve_Jones :

Sorry, losing my temper and shouting, while I agree I was an ass, is not an excuse to get the E36 M3 beat out of me.  I physically harmed no one.  I ended up with a black eye, cuts, and busted glasses.  Two wrongs don't make a right, and being wrong does not condone or excuse a beating.

In reply to Hidinginplainsight :

No need to debate, you're going to see it your way, I'll see it mine.  Without you being an ass, none of it happens though.  You started a fight and lost, it happens.

Agreed that you need a lawyer. Presumably there those "Better Call Saul" ambulance-chasers who advertise on TV near you? This might be a case where one of those parasites (cough) people would actually come in handy. If nothing else, you can call a few of them and get an idea of costs.

^ I appreciate you're trying to remain anonymous but you may want to check that out/HAVE YOUR ATTORNEY COUNCIL YOU ON WHAT/HOW TO SAY THINGS/THE REALITY OF LOW THE "SELF DEFENSE" BAR IS. Threats, property damage, and very possibly brandishing a weapon is grounds for a physical retaliation in most of the country, the pause between the altercation you started and the one he finished is your only saving grace.  

Andy Neuman said:

Pay for a lawyer, you can always make more money but you can never get that taken off your record.  

 

Yep. You could be applying for a job years from now and have them do a background search and find that disorderly conviction.

Steve_Jones said:

Everyone saying sue the guy and the place would not want me on the jury. You cut in front of everyone, followed him behind the counter, waved a knife (plastic does not matter) at him, knocked stuff over, and yelled in his face from what I read.  Sounds like you started it, he finished it. I'd find for them over you.

Yes. But I would imagine that following somebody into the parking lot to start the fight back up again is not standard corporate procedure for employees, and probably fodder for a civil lawsuit. Or both of you could have been charged with assault. He should have locked the door and called the police. I would imagine that manager got fired for the incident.

Byrneon27 said:

^ I appreciate you're trying to remain anonymous but you may want to check that out/HAVE YOUR ATTORNEY COUNCIL YOU ON WHAT/HOW TO SAY THINGS/THE REALITY OF LOW THE "SELF DEFENSE" BAR IS. Threats, property damage, and very possibly brandishing a weapon is grounds for a physical retaliation in most of the country, the pause between the altercation you started and the one he finished is your only saving grace.  

If only there were some sort of professional who you could consult to give you an answer on this topic that you could actually rely on...

That sort of knowledge would potentially be quite valuable...

You need a lawyer. If not having a plastic knife in your food sends you off the deep end, imagine a judge chastising you publicly for your behavior. You need a pro sitting in the chair to be a buffer for you. Whether you go with the $6000 option it up to how good you think that lawyer is; don't bargain hunt, skill hunt.

As far as "You can't press charges," when I had a dispute with a neighbor, guess what the police sergeant on duty asked? "Are you going to want to press charges? I'll need to know." I said yes and the guy left in handcuffs. So while yes an individual doesn't actually press the charges, the common terminology for it is "pressing chages." They're not going to bother if you aren't going to follow up / show up for hearings / etc.

Mods please close or delete the thread.

I was just asking about the legal representation and I've had that thoroughly answered.  There's a danger of this dissolving into a trial by internet of mine and the other persons actions.  No one except me knows what the details were, and I'm being purposefully vague for obvious reasons.  'You started it so you deserve the beating and the legal consequences' is not accurate and nor helpful.

Thanks for all those who gave useful advice, much appreciated as usual.

Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) said:

Steve_Jones said:

Everyone saying sue the guy and the place would not want me on the jury. You cut in front of everyone, followed him behind the counter, waved a knife (plastic does not matter) at him, knocked stuff over, and yelled in his face from what I read.  Sounds like you started it, he finished it. I'd find for them over you.

Yes. But I would imagine that following somebody into the parking lot to start the fight back up again is not standard corporate procedure for employees, and probably fodder for a civil lawsuit. Or both of you could have been charged with assault. He should have locked the door and called the police. I would imagine that manager got fired for the incident.

Exactly. This case isn't going to make it before a jury, but if it did, the jury would have strict instructions on how to consider the case. "I feel like he was a jerk first" is not on the list of things the judge will instruct you to decide. I am not a lawyer, but a self defense claim for the restaurant manager falls apart long before he follows a person to their car and hits them through the open window. I am not a litigious person, but I would likely be filing a lawsuit in this case. Then again, I'm not knocking over coffee cups because of a minor inconvenience. In addition to the lawyer, maybe get a counselor. Seriously, not a dig at all, this is not a situation rational people bring upon themselves. You need help managing frustrations. Life is hard, but you've made it a whole lot harder on yourself.

There were 2 separate incidents. One guy was wrong in the first incident, the other was wrong in the second. The first guy committed disorderly conduct. The guy who started the 2nd incident committed assault and battery. 
 

Having someone act like an ass in public does not give anyone license to pursue him, assault him, and cause injury.