What does Mississippi consider ‘disorderly conduct’ & are you accidentally committing it?
We may hear the term “disorderly conduct” thrown around quite a bit in movies and television, but what does it actually mean, and how do you know if you’re guilty of it?
In Mississippi, disorderly conduct is commonly considered a misdemeanor, except in the cases of death. Still, its exact definition is just an umbrella term that covers a variety of behaviors.
What is the definition of disorderly conduct?
Disorderly conduct in Mississippi is defined under the Mississippi Code § 97-35-7, and is generally “failing or refusing to comply with a law enforcement officer’s request, command, or order, with intent to provoke a breach of the peace or under circumstances that may lead to a breach of the peace.” It covers public conduct and behaviors that could be characterized as:
- loud
- obnoxious
- annoying
- lewd
- disturbing
Examples of disorderly conduct
According to one of Mississippi’s top-rated legal firms, disorderly conduct can manifest in various ways. For example:
- Interfering with or preventing normal business operations of any public establishment
Engaging in loud, obnoxious, annoying, lewd or disturbing behavior in public
Interfering with police officers or encouraging others to disobey them
Disturbing, interrupting or interfering with public or religious services
Falsely reporting fires or crimes
Using vulgar language, becoming heavily intoxicated or smoking on buses
Disturbing the legislature
Refusing to move from a specific area when ordered by a law enforcement officer
Causing, aiding, encouraging or abetting another person to violate disorderly conduct laws
Penalties
A conviction for disorderly conduct in Mississippi is a misdemeanor, but in cases that result in death due to willful and wanton disregard for others’ safety it could be a felony.
- A fine of up to $500
- Imprisonment in the county jail for up to six months
- Or both fine and imprisonment
It is worth noting that Mississippi law allows counties and municipalities to adopt their own ordinances regarding disorderly conduct, so the penalties and fines could vary depending on where you live. You can check out Municode for Mississippi-specific laws.
What should you do if you’ve been charged with disorderly conduct?
If you are charged with disorderly conduct, it is crucial to seek the advice of a criminal defense attorney.
Depending on the situation, there could be special exceptions in some circumstances:
Sufficient provocation
Reasonableness of fear
Constitutional protections
The best way to avoid disorderly conduct charges is to remain chill and don’t get rowdy in public.
However, if the worst happens, you can find a local attorney and their professional standing at the State Bar of Mississippi directory.
