Crimes

Criminal Activities

Crimes against public disorder

In order to be convicted of disorderly conduct, according to the State of Massachusetts the defendant must have committed three specific things: 1) involved themselves in fighting, threatening, or violent behavior, or create a situation that is hazardous or physically offensive, 2) the defendants actions were most likely to affect the public, and 3) the defendant must have intended to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or create the risk of such. ("Disorderly Conduct") Because of its intent to and effect of creating public disorder, disorderly conduct is considered a crime against the public. Disorderly conduct is often associated with political demonstrations, such as the Occupy Wall Street or Tea Party movements. In such situations, those guilty of disorderly conduct must have the intent, or mens rea, (Latin for "guilty mind), to either create, or risk creating, public disorder. (Singer, 2010, p.56) But...
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