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Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct is an offense that involves a disturbance of the public peace and decency.  All states have some form of a disorderly conduct statute.  Many types of conduct fall under the definition of disorderly conduct.

For instance, New York  law defines disorderly conduct as follows:
“A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof:

  1. He engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior; or
  2. He makes unreasonable noise; or
  3. In a public place, he uses abusive or obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or
  4. Without lawful authority, he disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons; or
  5. He obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic; or
  6. He congregates with other persons in a public place and refuses to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse; or
  7. He creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.”

Whereas in Texas, a person commits an offense of disorderly conduct if he intentionally uses indecent language; makes an offensive gesture; creates a noxious and unreasonable odor by chemical means; makes unreasonable noise; discharges a firearm; fights with another or exposes his anus or genitals in a public place which tends to incite an immediate breach of the peace.  Entering the property of another for unlawful purpose like looking into an area such as a restroom, shower or dressing room is also a disorderly act.


Inside Disorderly Conduct