Kentucky Disorderly Conduct Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed June 20, 2016
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Each state has its own laws that criminalize disturbing the peace. In Kentucky, these laws are called the disorderly conduct statutes, and they criminalize various forms of unruly conduct in public. The disorderly conduct laws are meant to discourage people from acting in a disruptive manner in public. The following tables highlight Kentucky's disorderly conduct laws.
Code Section |
Kentucky Revised Statute section 525.055: First-Degree Disorderly Conduct |
What's Prohibited? |
First-degree disorderly conduct is committed in Kentucky when the following four element are all present:
|
Penalties |
Class A misdemeanor. |
Code Section |
Kentucky Revised Statute section 525.060: Second-Degree Disorderly Conduct |
What's Prohibited? |
Intentionally causing public inconvenience, annoyance, alarm, or wantonly creating a risk thereof in public while:
|
Penalties |
Class B misdemeanor. |
Public Intoxication
Kentucky also has the related crime of public intoxication. A person is guilty of public intoxication if he is under the influence of a controlled substance, or other intoxicating substance (excluding alcohol), that isn't therapeutically administered and is acting in a way that endangers himself, other people, property, or that unreasonably annoys people around him. Public intoxication in Kentucky is a Class B misdemeanor.
Misdemeanor Penalties in Kentucky
- Class A misdemeanor: Punishable by imprisonment for up to 12 months and/or a fine of up to $500.
- Class B misdemeanor: Punishable by imprisonment for up to 90 days and/or a fine of up to $250.
Additional Resources
Other related laws in Kentucky:
- Unlawful assembly
- Inciting a riot
- First-degree disrupting meetings and processions
- Second-degree disrupting meetings and processions
- Interference with a funeral
- Failure to disperse
State laws change frequently. For case specific information regarding Kentucky's disorderly conduct laws contact a local criminal defense lawyer.
Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?
- Complex criminal defense situations usually require a lawyer
- Defense attorneys can help protect your rights
- A lawyer can seek to reduce or eliminate criminal penalties
Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many Kentucky attorneys offer free consultations.
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