X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

  Defendant appeals from a judgment of the Criminal Court of the City of New York, New York County (Robert M. Mandelbaum, J.), rendered September 19, 2014, convicting him, upon his plea of guilty, of disorderly conduct, and imposing sentence. Per Curiam. Judgment of conviction (Robert M. Mandelbaum, J.), rendered September 19, 2014, reversed, on the law, and accusatory instrument is dismissed. Defendant was charged with disorderly conduct in violation of Penal Law §240.20(7) (creating a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act which serves no legitimate purpose). The information alleges that at 10:00 p.m. on a Sunday, defendant was observed “moving” numerous items from inside his apartment to a common hallway and blocking the width of the hallway in some areas, causing one individual to require assistance to walk down the hallway. We agree with defendant that the information is facially insufficient, since it failed to contain nonconclusory factual allegations establishing, prima facie, defendant’s commission of the charged offense (see CPL 100.40[1][c], 100.15[3]), an essential element of which is that defendant “inten[ded] to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creat[ed] a risk thereof” (Penal Law §240.20; see People v. Jones, 9 NY3d 259, 262 [2007]; People v. Tarka, 75 NY2d 996, 997 [1990]). The disorderly conduct statute was designed to proscribe only that type of conduct which has a real tendency to provoke public disorder (see William C. Donnino, Practice Commentary, McKinney’s Cons Laws of NY, Book 39, Penal Law §240.20 at 27) and is accompanied by a culpable mental state to create a public disturbance (see People v. Tichenor, 89 NY2d 769, 775 [1997], cert denied 522 US 918 [1997]), or to “threaten public safety, peace or order” (People v. Baker, 20 NY3d 354, 359 [2013]). Thus, a person may be guilty of disorderly conduct only when the situation extends beyond the exchange between the individual disputants to a point where it becomes “a potential or immediate public problem” (People v. Weaver, 16 NY3d 123, 128 [2011], quoting People v. Munafo, 50 NY2d 326, 331 [1980]). Without condoning defendant’s conduct, and without considering what other civil or criminal measures may have been supportable to address defendant’s actions, the required intent or recklessness to create a public disturbance is not fairly inferable from pleaded allegations (see People v. Mehdi, 29 NY2d 824 [1971]). Absent additional facts, such as whether any other individuals were present or if defendant attempted in any way to incite or involve others, the length of the time the items were in and blocking portions of the hallway, defendant’s purpose in putting them there, or whether he was asked and refused to remove the items (see generally People v. Munafo, 50 NY2d at 331-332), we find that the pleaded facts were insufficient to show a conscious disruptive intent by defendant or an inference of recklessness “such as to engender risk of disruption or disorder” (People v. Pritchard, 27 NY2d 246, 249 [1970]). THIS CONSTITUTES THE DECISION AND ORDER OF THE COURT.  

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
July 11, 2024
New York, NY

The National Law Journal Elite Trial Lawyers recognizes U.S.-based law firms performing exemplary work on behalf of plaintiffs.


Learn More
July 22, 2024 - July 24, 2024
Lake Tahoe, CA

GlobeSt. Women of Influence Conference celebrates the women who drive the commercial real estate industry forward.


Learn More

Skolnick Legal Group, P.C., a construction and commercial litigation firm with offices in New Jersey and New York is seeking a Litigation As...


Apply Now ›

Cullen and Dykman is seeking an associate attorney with a minimum of 5+ years in insurance coverage experience as well as risk transfer and ...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP is actively seeking a midlevel insurance coverage associate for its Newark, NJ and/or Philadelphia, PA offices. ...


Apply Now ›
06/27/2024
The American Lawyer

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/21/2024
Daily Business Review

Full Page Announcement


View Announcement ›
06/14/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›