Disorderly conduct is a criminal charge in most jurisdictions in the United States. Typically, disorderly conduct makes it a crime to be drunk in public, to "disturb the peace", or to loiter in certain areas. Many types of unruly conduct may fit the definition of disorderly conduct, as such statutes are often used as "catch-all" crimes. Police may use a disorderly conduct charge to keep the peace when people are behaving in a disruptive manner to themselves or others, but otherwise present no serious public danger.
Disorderly conduct is typically classified as a violation or misdemeanor. However, in certain circumstances - e.g., when committed in an airport, or near a funeral - it may be a felony in some states.
Read more about Disorderly Conduct: Definitions, Interpretation
Famous quotes containing the words disorderly and/or conduct:
“If I know how or which way to order these affairs
Thus disorderly thrust into my hands,
Never believe me.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)
“Armies, for the most part, are made up of men drawn from simple and peaceful lives. In time of war they suddenly find themselves living under conditions of violence, requiring new rules of conduct that are in direct contrast to the conditions they lived under as civilians. They learn to accept this to perform their duties as fighting men.”
—Gil Doud, U.S. screenwriter, and Jesse Hibbs. Walter Bedell Smith (Himself)