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Iowa Disorderly Conduct Laws

Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated June 20, 2016

States across the U.S. have disorderly conduct or disturbing the peace laws. Generally, disorderly conduct is defined as acting a certain way in public that could be considered offensive by others. These acts can vary from using obscene language to fighting.

Iowa has a disorderly conduct statute which prohibits various activities that can be bothersome to others. Iowa has a separate statute prohibiting disorderly conduct at a funeral or memorial service. Disorderly conduct at a funeral or memorial service is a simple misdemeanor if it's a first offense, a serious misdemeanor if it's a second offense, and a class D felony for a third or subsequent offense.

Iowa Disorderly Conduct Statute

The following is a quick summary of Iowa's disorderly conduct laws.

Code Sections Iowa Code Annotated § 723.4, Disorderly Conduct

 

 

 

What is Prohibited?

The following acts are prohibited:

  • Fighting or engaging in violent behavior in a public place or near a lawful assembly of people.
  • Making loud and raucous noise near any residence or public building which causes unreasonable distress to the occupants.
  • Directing abusive words or making a threatening gesture which the person knows (or reasonably should know) is likely to provoke a violent reaction by another.
  • Disturbing a lawful assembly or meeting with conduct intended to disrupt the assembly or meeting.
  • By words or action, initiating or circulating a report or warning of a catastrophe (i.e. fire, epidemic, etc.) knowing that the report is false or that the warning doesn't have a valid basis.
  • Knowingly and publicly using the United States flag in a disrespectful manner, with the intent or reasonable expectation that it will encourage or provoke another to commit trespass or assault.
Penalty Violation of this statute is a simple misdemeanor punishable by a minimum fine of $65 and a maximum fine of $625. The court may also impose a prison term of up to 30 days. The prison term can be in addition to the fine, or in place of the fine.

Iowa Disorderly Conduct Laws: Related Resources

You can visit FindLaw's section on Public Safety Violations for more information and articles on this topic. If you or someone close to you is facing a disorderly conduct charge or any other criminal charges, it's in your best interests to consult with a criminal defense attorney in your area.

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