Disorderly Conduct: Va. Code § 18.2-415
What is Disorderly Conduct?
Va. Code § 18.2-415 states that it is as someone who:
“with the intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he:
A. In any street, highway, public building, or while in or on a public conveyance, or public place engages in conduct having a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person or persons at whom, individually, such conduct is directed; or
B. Willfully or being intoxicated, whether willfully or not, and whether such intoxication results from self-administered alcohol or other drug of whatever nature, disrupts any funeral, memorial service, or meeting of the governing body of any political subdivision of this Commonwealth or a division or agency thereof, or of any school, literary society or place of religious worship, if the disruption (i) prevents or interferes with the orderly conduct of the funeral, memorial service, or meeting or (ii) has a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person or persons at whom, individually, the disruption is directed; or
C. Willfully or while intoxicated, whether willfully or not, and whether such intoxication results from self-administered alcohol or other drug of whatever nature, disrupts the operation of any school or any activity conducted or sponsored by any school, if the disruption (i) prevents or interferes with the orderly conduct of the operation or activity or (ii) has a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person or persons at whom, individually, the disruption is directed.
This can occur anywhere in public, and specifically at schools, funerals, memorials, government meetings or religious events and services.
How is Disorderly Conduct Punished in Virginia?
Disorderly Conduct is a Class 1 Misdemeanor, the most ‘serious’ level of misdemeanor charge. This can carry possible jail time up to one year, and a fine of up to $2,500. The stature further authorizes municipalities to codify a similar ordinance, which may carry punishments no more serious than those of a Class 1 Misdemeanor.
Consult with a Criminal Defense Attorney
A Class 1 Misdemeanor is a serious criminal offense that can have serious collateral consequences. Consult with one of our criminal defense attorneys today.
