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New York statute

N.Y. Penal Law § 240.20 — Disorderly conduct

Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)

Part of Article 240: Offenses Against Public Order, New York Penal Law.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 240.20

Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.

N.Y. Penal Law § 240.20Primary source, current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
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 sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is disorderly conduct a crime in New York?

Disorderly conduct is a violation in New York, and a violation is not a crime under New York Penal Law § 10.00(6) — a conviction is a noncriminal disposition, not a criminal conviction. Disorderly conduct is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 240.20.

Which New York statute covers disorderly conduct?

Disorderly conduct is governed by N.Y. Penal Law § 240.20 (Disorderly conduct).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.