{"data":{"id":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-1321","jurisdiction":"us-dc","citation":"D.C. Code § 22-1321","heading":"Disorderly conduct.","body":"(a)\nIn any place open to the general public, and in the communal areas of multi-unit housing, it is unlawful for a person to:\n(1)\nIntentionally or recklessly act in such a manner as to cause another person to be in reasonable fear that a person or property in a person’s immediate possession is likely to be harmed or taken;\n(2)\nIncite or provoke violence where there is a likelihood that such violence will ensue; or\n(3)\nDirect abusive or offensive language or gestures at another person (other than a law enforcement officer while acting in his or her official capacity) in a manner likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation or violence by that person or another person.\n\n(b)\nIt is unlawful for a person to engage in loud, threatening, or abusive language, or disruptive conduct, with the intent and effect of impeding or disrupting the orderly conduct of a lawful public gathering, or of a congregation of people engaged in any religious service or in worship, a funeral, or similar proceeding.\n\n(c)\nIt is unlawful for a person to engage in loud, threatening, or abusive language, or disruptive conduct with the intent and effect of impeding or disrupting the lawful use of a public conveyance by one or more other persons.\n\n(c-1)\nIt is unlawful for a person to engage in loud, threatening, or abusive language, or disruptive conduct in a public building with the intent and effect of impeding or disrupting the orderly conduct of business in that public building.\n\n(d)\nIt is unlawful for a person to make an unreasonably loud noise between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. that is likely to annoy or disturb one or more other persons in their residences.\n\n(e)\nIt is unlawful for a person to urinate or defecate in public, other than in a urinal or toilet.\n\n(f)\nIt is unlawful for a person to stealthily look into a window or other opening of a dwelling, as defined in § 6-101.07, under circumstances in which an occupant would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. It is not necessary that the dwelling be occupied at the time the person looks into the window or other opening.\n\n(g)\nIt is unlawful, under circumstances whereby a breach of the peace may be occasioned, to interfere with any person in any public place by jostling against the person, unnecessarily crowding the person, or placing a hand in the proximity of the person’s handbag, pocketbook, or wallet.\n\n(h)\nA person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01, imprisoned not more than 90 days, or both.","path":["Title 22. Criminal Offenses and Penalties.","Chapter 13. Disturbances of the Public Peace."],"source_url":"https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/22-1321","current_through":"2026-08-20 (D.C. Law 26-175)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-29T05:44:07Z","sha256":"b0791ee5ab48fbb974655987e2a29f6b5f89faa0b8916eb028d34f9c9aaf4187","source_id":"us-dc","stale":false,"prev":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-1320","next":"us-dc/d.c.-code-22-1322"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}