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Iowa Code Title XVI. Criminal Law and Procedure [Chs. 687-916] § 723.4. Disorderly conduct

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

1. A person commits a simple misdemeanor when the person does any of the following:

a. Engages in fighting or violent behavior in any public place or in or near any lawful assembly of persons, provided, that participants in athletic contests may engage in such conduct which is reasonably related to that sport.

b. Makes loud and raucous noise in the vicinity of any residence or public building which intentionally or recklessly causes unreasonable distress to the occupants thereof.

c. Directs abusive epithets or makes any threatening gesture which the person knows or reasonably should know is likely to provoke a violent reaction by another.

d. Without lawful authority or color of authority, the person disturbs any lawful assembly or meeting of persons by conduct intended to disrupt the meeting or assembly.

e. By words or action, initiates or circulates a report or warning of fire, epidemic, or other catastrophe, knowing such report to be false or such warning to be baseless.

f. (1) Knowingly and publicly uses the flag of the United States in such a manner as to show disrespect for the flag as a symbol of the United States, with the intent or reasonable expectation that such use will provoke or encourage another to commit trespass or assault.

(2) As used in this paragraph:

(a) “Deface” means to intentionally mar the external appearance.

(b) “Defile” means to intentionally make physically unclean.

(c) “Flag” means a piece of woven cloth or other material designed to be flown from a pole or mast.

(d) “Mutilate” means to intentionally cut up or alter so as to make imperfect.

(e) “Show disrespect” means to deface, defile, mutilate, or trample.

(f) “Trample” means to intentionally tread upon or intentionally cause a machine, vehicle, or animal to tread upon.

(3) This paragraph does not apply to a flag retirement ceremony conducted pursuant to federal law.

2. A person commits a serious misdemeanor when the person, without lawful authority or color of authority, obstructs any street, sidewalk, highway, or other public way, with the intent to prevent or hinder its lawful use by others.

3. A person commits an aggravated misdemeanor when the person commits disorderly conduct as described in subsection 2 and does any of the following:

a. Obstructs or attempts to obstruct a fully controlled-access facility on a highway, street, or road in which the speed restriction is controlled by section 321.285, subsection 3, or section 321.285, subsection 5.

b. Commits property damage.

c. Is present during an unlawful assembly as defined in section 723.2.

4. A person commits a class “D” felony when the person commits disorderly conduct as described in subsection 2 and does any of the following:

a. Is present during a riot as defined in section 723.1.

b. Causes bodily injury.

5. A person commits a class “C” felony when the person commits disorderly conduct as described in subsection 2 and the person causes serious bodily injury or death.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Iowa Code Title XVI. Criminal Law and Procedure [Chs. 687-916] § 723.4. Disorderly conduct - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/ia/title-xvi-criminal-law-and-procedure-chs-687-916/ia-code-sect-723-4/

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