Disorderly Conduct
A charge of Disorderly Conduct is one of the most common offenses with which individuals are charged. Disorderly Conduct in the State of Illlinois is defined by statute (720 ILCS 5/26-1):
“A person commits disorderly conduct when he or she knowingly: Does any act in such unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another and to provoke a breach of the peace.”
A charge of Disorderly Conduct is often refererred to “catch-all” because it encompasses a wide range of offenses, from Public Intoxication to Invasion of Privacy to False Reports (false police reports, false bomb threats, false fire alarm, and so on).
Following are some examples of Disorderly Conduct:
- Breach of the peace
- Public intoxication
- Public urination
- Public brawls
- Violent protests and riots
- Obscene or Abusive language
- Loud music
- Disrupting a public assembly
- False Reports
- False 911 call
- False complaint
- False crime report
- False fire alarm
- False bomb threat
- False abuse or neglect report
- False school threats
- Invasion of Privacy
- Debt Collector Harassment
- Frequently Asked Questions About Disorderly Conduct
It is mistakenly believed that Disorderly Conduct is merely the equivalent of a traffic ticket; however, Disorderly Conduct is a prosecutable offense and can have many consequences such as jail time and fines. A misdemeanor conviction may go on an individual’s permanent record, which can often interfere with educational and career opportunities, as background checks are mandatory for some jobs.
For many offenders, a charge of disorderly contact may be their first brush with the law. If you or a loved one have been charged with disorderly conduct, you should immediately hire the services of a qualified attorney, who may be able to get charges dropped, or prosecuted as a misdemeanor instead of a felony.
Attorney David B. Franks, a McHenry County Lawyer, will evaluate the charges, review arrest records, and provide you with the best defense possible under Illinois law. Mr. Franks also handles Juvenile cases, which many times are the result of Disorderly Conduct. Fill out the form below to contact David B. Franks for a free initial consultation.