A heated argument outside a restaurant, a confrontation at a sporting event or a refusal to leave when police ask you to move on. Any of these situations can lead to a disorderly conduct charge in Mississippi. If you are facing this type of charge, you may not realize how serious the consequences can be or how broadly the law defines the offense. Understanding what the state considers disorderly conduct and what penalties you could face is the first step toward protecting yourself.
What Mississippi law considers disorderly conduct
Mississippi law covers this kind of conduct in two related statutes, but they apply to different situations.
Section 97-35-15 covers behavior that disturbs the peace. This can include violent, loud, profane, indecent or offensive conduct in public. It can also apply if your actions are likely to start a confrontation or disturb other people nearby.
Section 97-35-7 covers refusal to follow a police officer’s lawful command in a breach-of-the-peace situation or one that could become one. For example, an officer may order someone to leave the area or step back. If that person refuses, the officer may charge them under this statute, even if someone else started the disturbance.
Penalties you could face
The penalty depends on which statute applies. A conviction under Section 97-35-15 can lead to a fine of up to $500, up to six months in county jail or both. A conviction under Section 97-35-7 can lead to a fine of up to $250, up to six months in county jail or both.
Either conviction can create a criminal record. That record may appear on background checks for jobs, housing and professional licenses. Even though disorderly conduct is a misdemeanor, it can still cause lasting problems.
How a disorderly conduct arrest can lead to additional charges
A disorderly conduct charge may not be the only charge in a case. If the incident involved physical contact, property damage or resistance to arrest, prosecutors may also file charges such as simple assault, malicious mischief or resisting arrest.
Each added charge brings its own penalties. Together, they can make the case much more serious. That is why it is important to understand every charge the state filed and what the prosecutor must prove for each one.
Why the details of your case matter
Disorderly conduct charges often depend on an officer’s interpretation of events, and that interpretation is not always accurate.The outcome can depend on several details. Did the officer give a lawful command? Did your conduct actually disturb the peace? Did someone else escalate the situation first? Looking closely at those facts is an important part of building a response.
