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:
- He engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior; or
- He makes unreasonable noise; or
- In a public place, he uses abusive or obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or
- Without lawful authority, he disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons; or
- He obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic; or
- He congregates with other persons in a public place and refuses to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse; or
- 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.