{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "240.20", "citation": "Penal Law § 240.20", "heading": "Disorderly conduct", "text": ["§ 240.20 Disorderly conduct.", "A person is guilty of disorderly conduct when, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof:", "1. He engages in fighting or in violent, tumultuous or threatening behavior; or", "2. He makes unreasonable noise; or", "3. In a public place, he uses abusive or obscene language, or makes an obscene gesture; or", "4. Without lawful authority, he disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons; or", "5. He obstructs vehicular or pedestrian traffic; or", "6. He congregates with other persons in a public place and refuses to comply with a lawful order of the police to disperse; or", "7. He creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose.", "Disorderly conduct is a violation."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/240.20", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "With intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk of it, disorderly conduct includes:\n- **(1)** Fighting or violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior;\n- **(2)** Unreasonable noise;\n- **(3)** In a public place, using **abusive or obscene language** or making an **obscene gesture**;\n- **(4)** Without lawful authority, disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting;\n- **(5)** Obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic;\n- **(6)** Congregating with others in a public place and refusing a lawful police order to disperse; or\n- **(7)** Creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by an act that serves no legitimate purpose. ★\nThe offense is a **violation**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/240.20", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}