Disorderly Conduct

Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 272, Section 53, punishes the crime of Disorderly Conduct with a fine of up to $150 for a first-time offender; and imprisonment in the House of Corrections for up to 6 months for a second-time offender.

For the crime of Disorderly Conduct, prosecutors are required to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt:

1. That the defendant either engaged in fighting or threatening, or engaged in violent or tumultuous behavior, or created a hazardous or physically offensive condition by an act that served no legitimate purpose of the defendant's;
2. That the defendant's actions were reasonably likely to affect the public; and
3. That the defendant either intended to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly created a risk of public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm.

The Massachusetts Disorderly Conduct law's purpose is to control intentional conduct which tends to disturb the public tranquility, or to alarm or provoke others.  It prohibits four separate and distinct acts:

• The use of force or violence;
• Making threats that involve the immediate use of force or violence;
• Tumultuous and highly agitated behavior, which may not involve physical violence, but which causes riotous commotion and excessively unreasonable noise, and so constitutes a public nuisance; and
• Any conduct that creates a hazard to public safety or a physically offensive condition by an act that serves no legitimate purpose.

Boston Criminal Lawyer Lefteris K. Travayiakis has experience in defending persons accused of the crime of Disorderly Conduct, as well as other Miscellaneous Crimes.

To schedule a Free Consultation, Contact Us Online or call 617-325-9500.