Chapter 12 Offenses Against Public Order and Safety

Introduction This category of offenses includes breaches of the peace like unlawful assembly, riot, and disorderly conduct. It also includes vagrancy and loitering, which are designed to control people whose conduct society considers threatening or undesirable.

Breaches of the Peace Unlawful assembly – an assembly of five or more people whose common objective is to commit an unlawful act, or a lawful act by unlawful means. Unlawful assembly – an assembly of five or more people whose common objective is to commit an unlawful act, or a lawful act by unlawful means. Tumultuous conduct – conduct that results in serious bodily injury to a person or substantial damage to property. Tumultuous conduct – conduct that results in serious bodily injury to a person or substantial damage to property.

Breaches of the Peace Continued: Disorderly Conduct – a person who recklessly, knowingly or intentionally engages in fighting conduct, makes unreasonable noise and continues after being asked to stop, and disrupts a lawful assembly of people. Disorderly Conduct – a person who recklessly, knowingly or intentionally engages in fighting conduct, makes unreasonable noise and continues after being asked to stop, and disrupts a lawful assembly of people.

Constitutional Limitations on Defining Breaches of the Peace Fighting Words – not protected by the constitution. Fighting Words – not protected by the constitution. Hate Crimes – crimes in which the victim is selected on the basis of race, religion, or ethnicity. Hate Crimes – crimes in which the victim is selected on the basis of race, religion, or ethnicity.

Vagrancy and Loitering Vagrancy – offense of going about without any visible means of support. Vagrancy – offense of going about without any visible means of support. Loitering – Standing around idly, just “hanging around”. Loitering – Standing around idly, just “hanging around”.