Generally, disorderly conduct laws (referred to as "breach of peace" laws in Nevada) prohibit various types of conduct that disturb the peace of others in public. While each state defines disorderly conduct slightly differently, these laws usually prohibit making unreasonable noise and fighting in public. This article provides a brief overview of Nevada's disorderly conduct laws.
Overview of Nevada's Disorderly Conduct (Breach of Peace) Laws
Nevada has a few laws that prohibit disorderly conduct, namely: committing a breach of the peace, assembling to disturb the peace, and provoking another to commit a breach of peace. The tables below outline these laws.
Code Section
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Nevada Code section 203.010: Breach of Peace |
What's Prohibited?
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Maliciously and willfully disturbing the peace or quiet of any neighborhood or person or family by loud or unusual noises, or by tumultuous and offensive conduct, threatening, traducing, quarreling, challenging to fight, or fighting. |
Penalties
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Misdemeanor. |
Code Section
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Nevada Code section 203.030: Provoking Another to Breach the Peace |
What's Prohibited?
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Willfully provoking (or attempting to provoke) another person to commit a breach of the peace by word, sign, or gesture. |
Penalties
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Misdemeanor. |
Code Section
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Nevada Code section 203.020: Assembling to Disturb the Peace |
What's Prohibited?
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Two or more people assembling for the purpose of disturbing the public peace, or committing any unlawful act, and do not disperse when commanded to do so by a judge, justice of the peace, sheriff, coroner, constable, or other public officer. |
Penalties
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Misdemeanor. |
Possible Defenses
While there are several possible defenses to a breach of the peace charge in Nevada, a few common defenses are listed below:
- Lack of Intent
- Self-defense (i.e. defending yourself against another's threatening behavior)
- Intoxication
- Age (minors may receive lighter penalties than adults)
- You did not commit the conduct
Additional Resources
State laws change frequently. For case specific information regarding Nevada's disorderly conduct laws contact a local criminal defense lawyer.