The concept of “disturbing the peace” sounds simple on the surface, but when you really think about it, it could be rather subjective. What’s peace to one person might not be peace to another, and what disturbs one person might be perfectly fine to another. That’s what lawyers are for, after all, so if you were arrested for disturbing the peace in Port Huron or anywhere in Michigan, you would be wise to consult with one.
Following are some of the basics about this law.
How is Disturbing the Peace Defined?
Disturbing the peace occurs when someone infringes upon another person’s ability to live or work comfortably. It also could include behavior that disturbs another person emotionally or mentally. It is generally considered a misdemeanor.
In reality, this crime likely happens much more often than it is acknowledged as such. For that reason, some people who are cited for this might argue harassment or become upset with the individuals who notified the police about their behavior. Still, law-abiding citizens would do whatever they could to cooperate and uphold peace in the community.
What are Some Examples of Disturbing the Peace?
Following are some of the actions that could get you in trouble according to this law.
- Fighting in public
- Yelling vulgarities or making obscene gestures
- Gathering a large group in an inappropriate place, such as blocking the entrance to a building by standing on private property
- Legally gathering in a public place but in an unpeaceful manner
- Urinating in public (which could possibly get you cited for indecent exposure and force you to register as a sex offender, although that is a controversial subject)
- Playing loud music at inappropriate hours of the day, or at any time if it’s excessive
- Some forms of harassment
- Allowing a dog to bark for a prolonged period of time
What are the Penalties for Misdemeanors in Michigan?
The associated fines for misdemeanors depend on whether or not you are a repeat offender as well as the various circumstances involved in your arrest.
A Class A misdemeanor is the most serious. It can result in a sentence of up to a year in jail and $2,000 in fines. Community service and time in a rehabilitation program may be required as well. Lesser misdemeanors usually mean 93 days in jail and a fine of about $500.
While most people define misdemeanors as punishable by up to one year in jail, there is also a classification known as high court misdemeanors, which are punishable by up to two years in jail and may require up to $5,000 in fines. They’re more serious than a typical misdemeanor but less serious than a felony, which is punishable by more than one year in prison.
If you know someone who has been arrested for disturbing the peace and needs help getting out of jail or if you would like general information, contact our Port Huron bail bond agents online or send us an email at info@bailbondsporthuron.com. You can also see our blog page for additional information about misdemeanor penalties and definitions of various legal terms.
Tags: Common Misdemeanors, Legal Terminology, Misdemeanor Penalties