{"id":352045,"date":"2023-08-21T14:41:01","date_gmt":"2023-08-21T19:41:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/disturbing-the-peace.html"},"modified":"2025-01-16T15:40:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T20:40:00","slug":"disturbing-the-peace","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/disturbing-the-peace.html","title":{"rendered":"Disturbing the Peace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Disturbing the Peace<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by T. Evan Fisher, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Disturbing the peace, also known as breach of the peace, is a criminal offense that occurs when a person engages in some form of unruly public behavior, such as fighting or causing unreasonable noise.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

 When a person’s words or conduct jeopardizes another person’s right to peace and tranquility, that person may be charged with disturbing the peace.<\/p>\n

To avoid bringing every offensive conduct into the criminal justice system, lawmakers need to review disturbing the peace laws to make sure they are not overly vague or prohibit lawful conduct. Likewise, law enforcement officers need to exercise proper restraint and discretion to avoid accusations that such charges target certain populations.<\/p>\n

No matter how minor criminal charges seem, someone accused of disturbing the peace has the right to legal counsel. Find a criminal defense lawyer<\/a> who can help you. <\/p>\n

What Constitutes Disturbing the Peace?<\/h2>\n

States and local communities enact laws that make it a crime to create a public disturbance or commotion. Sometimes these crimes may be called disorderly conduct<\/a>. These laws vary from state to state, so it makes sense to review the elements of the crime. Disturbing the peace laws typically prohibit:<\/p>\n