In Louisiana, disturbing the peace is an alternate term for disorderly conduct. This legal term encompasses a variety of crimes with distinct penalties that depend on the crime and the severity, among other factors. Individuals arrested for disturbing the peace in New Orleans should seek the guidance of a criminal defense lawyer.
Crimes That Constitute Disturbing the Peace
Louisiana residents and visitors can be charged with disturbing the peace for fighting, obstructing or picketing a funeral or funeral procession, addressing another person with offensive language, interrupting a lawful assembly, holding an unlawful assembly, and public intoxication. This charge can also be used when someone plays a car radio above 85 decibels, obstructs public passage, participates in a riot, or sleeps in public (vagrancy).
Penalties for Disturbing the Peace
Consequences for these offenses vary, but, in general, a conviction for disturbing the peace is punishable by a fine of up to $100 and/or up to 90 days in jail. Some of the most common charges and penalties in this category include:
- Vagrancy: Fine of up to $200 and/or up to six months in jail
- Picketing a funeral: Fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail
- Participating in a riot: Fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail; up to five years in prison if bodily injury is involved and up to 21 years in prison if a fatality results
- Obstructing public passage: Fine of up to $500 and up to six months in jail
- Excessive car noise: $200 fine and 30-day license suspension, with up to 30 days in jail if the offense took place near a hospital or place of worship
Criminal defense lawyer Townsend Myers of NOLA Criminal Law provides trustworthy counsel for residents and visitors arrested for disturbing the peace in New Orleans. If you or a loved one has recently had a run-in with the law, contact us at (504) 571-9529 for a free consultation.
