disorderly conduct

noun

: a petty offense chiefly against public order and decency that falls short of an indictable misdemeanor

Examples of disorderly conduct in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of them were for disorderly conduct, drug abuse and vandalism. —Chris Ramirez, Journal Sentinel, 17 Dec. 2024

He was originally charged with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor, and three counts of felony reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, but his charges were reduced to misdemeanors during a hearing on Tuesday. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? —Lori A Bashian Fox News, Fox News, 13 Dec. 2024

One white child was arrested for disorderly conduct, compared with 120 Black children. —Emily Cochrane, New York Times, 5 Dec. 2024

Four counts of disorderly conduct, a Class 1 misdemeanor. —Michelle Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1786, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

disorderly conduct

noun

dis·​or·​der·​ly conduct

: conduct that is likely to lead to a disturbance of the public peace or that offends public decency

also : the petty offense of engaging in disorderly conduct compare breach of the peace

Note: The term disorderly conduct is used in statutes to identify various acts against the public peace. It has been held to include the use of obscene language in public, the blocking of public ways, and the making of threats. A statute must identify acts that constitute disorderly conduct with sufficient clarity in order to avoid being held unconstitutional because of vagueness.