{"id":373347,"date":"2016-04-11T01:22:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-11T06:22:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-disorderly-conduct-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:49:16","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:49:16","slug":"iowa-disorderly-conduct-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/iowa-law\/iowa-disorderly-conduct-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Iowa Disorderly Conduct Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Iowa Disorderly Conduct Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\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

States across the U.S. have disorderly conduct<\/a> or disturbing the peace<\/a> laws. Generally, disorderly conduct is defined as acting a certain way in public that could be considered offensive by others. These acts can vary from using obscene language to fighting. <\/p>\n

Iowa has a disorderly conduct statute which prohibits various activities that can be bothersome to others. Iowa has a separate statute prohibiting disorderly conduct at a funeral or memorial service<\/a>. Disorderly conduct at a funeral or memorial service is a simple misdemeanor if it’s a first offense, a serious misdemeanor if it’s a second offense, and a class D felony for a third or subsequent offense.<\/p>\n

Iowa Disorderly Conduct Statute<\/h2>\n

The following is a quick summary of Iowa’s disorderly conduct laws.<\/p>\n\n
Code Sections<\/b><\/td>\nIowa Code Annotated \u00a7 723.4, Disorderly Conduct<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>

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What is Prohibited?<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

The following acts are prohibited:<\/p>\n

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  • Fighting or engaging in violent behavior in a public place or near a lawful assembly of people.<\/li>\n
  • Making loud and raucous noise near any residence or public building which causes unreasonable distress to the occupants.<\/li>\n
  • Directing abusive words or making a threatening gesture which the person knows (or reasonably should know) is likely to provoke a violent reaction by another.<\/li>\n
  • Disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting with conduct intended to disrupt the assembly or meeting.<\/li>\n
  • By words or action, initiating or circulating a report or warning of a catastrophe (i.e. fire, epidemic, etc.) knowing that the report is false or that the warning doesn’t have a valid basis.<\/li>\n
  • Knowingly and publicly using the United States flag in a disrespectful manner, with the intent or reasonable expectation that it will encourage or provoke another to commit trespass or assault.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Penalty<\/b><\/td>\nViolation of this statute is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of $65 and a maximum fine of $625. The court may also impose a prison term of up to 30 days. The prison term can be in addition to the fine, or in place of the fine.<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Iowa Disorderly Conduct Laws: Related Resources<\/h2>\n

You can visit FindLaw’s section on Public Safety Violations<\/a> for more information and articles on this topic. If you or someone close to you is facing a disorderly conduct charge or any other criminal charges, it’s in your best interests to consult with a criminal defense attorney<\/a> in your area.<\/p>\n

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