Disorderly conduct can seem like a minor crime, and the circumstances leading up to it can seem quite innocent as well. If convicted though, an individual can face harsh penalties, including jail time. It is for this reason that anyone charged with disorderly conduct needs to speak to a criminal defense lawyer in Rolling Meadows as soon as possible. There are defenses available, and an attorney will use them to give defendants the best chance of having the charges dropped or reduced.
Disorderly Conduct in Illinois
The Illinois Statute pertaining to disorderly conduct is found at 720 ILCS 5/26-1. It outlines a number of behaviors that are considered disorderly conduct. These include:
- Breaching the peace;
- False fire alarms;
- Reporting a false bomb threat;
- Threats of violence or destruction in a school or on school property;
- Falsely reporting a crime;
- Phoning 911 without reason;
- Falsely reporting to the Department of Children and Family Services;
- Falsely reporting a nursing home, mental home, or other facility for abuse or neglect;
- Requesting an ambulance when one was not needed;
- Falsely reporting violence;
- Invasions of privacy/‘Peeping Tom’; and
- Harassment by a collection agency.
The penalties sentenced for disorderly conduct will vary, depending on the specific crime that was committed. However, all those convicted will be required to perform between 30 and 120 hours of community service.
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