Disorderly Conduct Law
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Rhode Island’s Disorderly Conduct Law R.I.G.L. §11-45-1
Rhode Island has criminalized certain behaviors that are commonly known as “disorderly conduct.” The statute, R.I.G.L. §11-45-1, enumerates seven separate disorderly offenses. A violation of any one of these sections of the disorderly conduct statute is classified as a petty misdemeanor. Each section has its own nuances and is very particular as to what the prosecution needs to prove. Disorderly conduct is one of the Domestic Violence Act’s enumerated crimes; however, because it is a petty misdemeanor the long term consequences of a disorderly conduct conviction differ greatly than with any other Domestic Violence enumerated crime. This is why you need the experience of Attorney Peter Calo should you be charged with Disorderly Conduct.
The Disorderly Conduct statute prohibits many types of behaviors. For example, it makes it illegal to engage in fighting or otherwise violent behavior. It further prohibits one from blocking the roadway or a sidewalk. Here is the list of the seven behaviors that the Disorderly Conduct statute prohibits:
- Fighting or threatening, or in violent or tumultuous behavior;
- In a public place or near a private residence that he or she has no right to occupy, disturbing another person by making loud and unreasonable noise which under the circumstances would disturb a person of average sensibilities;
- Directing at another person in a public place offensive words which are likely to provoke a violent reaction on the part of the average person so addressed;
- Alone or with others, obstructing a highway, street, sidewalk, railway, waterway, building entrance elevator, aisle, stairway, or hallway to which the public or a substantial group of the public has access or any other place ordinarily used for the passage of persons, vehicles, or conveyances;
- Engaging in conduct which obstructs or interferes physically with a lawful meeting, procession, or gathering;
- Entering upon the property of another and for a lascivious purpose looks into an occupied dwelling or other building on the property through a window or other opening; or
- Who without the knowledge or consent of the individual, looking for a lascivious purpose through a window, or any other opening into an area in which another would have a reasonable expectation of privacy, including, but not limited to, a restroom, locker room, shower, changing room, dressing room, bedroom, or any other such private area
Penalty
This statute is classified as a petty misdemeanor. A violation of this statute can have serious consequences. Contact Attorney Peter Calo today for a free consultation if you have been charged with this crime to receive the best representation possible.
- Up to $500 fine and/or
- Imprisonment up to 6 Months
