2. Defenses
The most common defenses to California disturbing the peace charges include:
- Self-defense,
- Defense of others,
- Defense of property,
- Consent,
- Accident,
- False accusation,
- Insufficient evidence, and
- Illegal search and seizure.
3. Penalties
Disturbing the peace is a California misdemeanor. The penalties for violating 415 PC depend on whether you are charged with an infraction or a misdemeanor.
3.1. Infraction
If you are charged with an infraction, you face a fine of up to $250.13
3.2. Misdemeanor
If you are charged with a misdemeanor, you face:
- Up to 90 days in county jail, and/or
- A fine of up to $400.14
4. Immigration Consequences
Disturbing the peace is not a crime of moral turpitude. Therefore, it is not a deportable offense for non-citizens.15
5. Expungements
If you are convicted of disturbing the peace, you may be eligible for an expungement of your criminal record. If you successfully expunge your record, you can legally answer “no” if someone asks you if you have a criminal record.16
6. Gun Rights
A conviction for disturbing the peace does not affect your gun rights in California.17
7. Plea Bargaining
Prosecutors often reduce disturbing the peace charges to lesser offenses or dismiss them altogether in exchange for a plea bargain. Common plea bargains include:
- Reducing a disturbing the peace charge to an infraction for disturbing the peace,
- Reducing a disturbing the peace charge to an infraction for an unrelated offense, or
- Reducing a disturbing the peace charge to an infraction for an unrelated offense and dismissing the disturbing the peace charge.
8. Related Crimes
Related offenses include:
9. Additional Resources
Our California criminal defense attorneys provide free consultations and legal advice. We create attorney-client relationships throughout the state, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. We also have local offices in Beverly Hills, Burbank, Glendale, Lancaster, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Pasadena, Pomona, Torrance, Van Nuys, West Covina, and Whittier.
9.1. California criminal jury instructions
California Jury Instruction (CALCRIM) 2688 – Disturbing the peace
9.2. California criminal defense lawyers
California criminal defense attorneys
9.3. California criminal law
9.4. California criminal procedure
9.5. California criminal court process
California criminal court process
9.6. California criminal court system
California criminal court system
9.7. California criminal appeals
9.8. California criminal defense resources
California criminal defense resources
9.9. California criminal defense legal guide
California criminal defense legal guide
9.10. California criminal defense legal blog
California criminal defense legal blog
9.11. California criminal defense legal videos
California criminal defense legal videos
9.12. California criminal defense legal FAQs
California criminal defense legal FAQs
9.13. California criminal defense legal testimonials
California criminal defense legal testimonials
9.14. California criminal defense legal attorney fees
California criminal defense legal attorney fees
9.15. California criminal defense legal free consultation
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9.16. California criminal defense legal payment plans
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9.17. California criminal defense legal discounts
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9.18. California criminal defense legal case results
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9.19. California criminal defense legal attorney endorsements
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9.20. California criminal defense legal attorney reviews
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9.21. California criminal defense legal attorney ratings
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9.22. California criminal defense legal attorney awards
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9.23. California criminal defense legal attorney associations
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9.24. California criminal defense legal attorney publications
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9.25. California criminal defense legal attorney speaking engagements
California criminal defense legal attorney speaking engagements
9.26. California criminal defense legal attorney pro bono work
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9.28. California criminal defense legal attorney media appearances
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El código 415 PC hace que sea un crimen pelear en un lugar público ilegalmente.
2. Defensas
Aquí en el Grupo de Leyes de Shouse, hemos representado a literalmente miles de personas acusadas de disturbios de la paz en California. En nuestra experiencia, las siguientes cuatro defensas han demostrado ser muy efectivas con los fiscales y jueces para reducir o desestimar estos cargos.
1) No Tenías Intención Criminal
Dado que los fiscales nunca pueden probar definitivamente lo que está sucediendo dentro de tu cabeza, es una defensa muy poderosa argumentar que nunca actuaste:
- Voluntariamente según 415(1) PC, o
- Maliciosamente según 415(2) PC, o
- Con la intención de incitar a la violencia según 415(3) PC.
En su lugar, podríamos argumentar que simplemente estabas siendo negligente o descuidado, o que pensabas que estabas siendo útil.
2) Tu Comportamiento Estaba Protegido por la Constitución
Los cargos por disturbios de la paz no deberían mantenerse si la Primera Enmienda protege tus palabras o conducta. Por ejemplo, usaríamos esta defensa si:
- Usaste palabras ofensivas mientras participabas en una protesta política, o
- Hiciste un discurso religioso fuerte con un megáfono en un lugar público.13
La evidencia útil en estos casos incluye videos y testimonios de testigos presenciales del evento en cuestión.
3) Fuiste Falsamente Acusado
Vemos casos todo el tiempo de personas acusando falsamente a otros de violar el 415 PC. Un escenario común es un vecino acusando a las personas de al lado de hacer ruido irrazonable como una forma de venganza por algo hecho en el pasado.
En este tipo de situaciones, revisamos las comunicaciones registradas del acusador (como mensajes de texto y correos de voz) en busca de evidencia de su motivación para mentir.
4) Actuaste en Defensa Propia
El 415 PC prohíbe pelear en público, pero defenderse es legal en California siempre y cuando:
- Razonablemente creías que estabas a punto de sufrir daño,
- Razonablemente creías que usar la fuerza sería necesario para desviar el ataque, y
- No se usó más fuerza de la necesaria.
A menudo podemos encontrar imágenes de video o testimonios de testigos presenciales que muestran claramente que actuaste en defensa propia legal (o defensa de otros).
Una condena por el Código Penal 415 PC puede resultar en una multa y/o tiempo en la cárcel
3. Penas
Disturbing the peace es un delito menor en California. Esto significa que un fiscal puede acusarlo como una infracción o un delito menor dependiendo de los hechos del caso y su historial criminal.
Como infracción, violar el 415 PC conlleva hasta $250 en multas (y no cárcel). Como delito menor, violar el 415 PC conlleva:
- Hasta 90 días en la cárcel y/o
- Hasta $400.
Disturbing the Peace en Escuelas
California tiene un estatuto separado – 415.5 PC – que hace que sea un delito menor perturbar la paz en terrenos escolares, universitarios o universitarios. Las penas conllevan:
- Hasta 90 días en la cárcel y/o
- Hasta $400.
Sin embargo, una segunda condena conlleva de 10 días a seis meses en la cárcel y/o hasta $1,000. Una tercera o sucesiva condena conlleva de 90 días a seis meses en la cárcel y/o hasta $1,000.
415.5 PC no se aplica a los estudiantes registrados de la escuela o a los empleados que realizan actividades legales.
Procesamientos en Los Ángeles
La Oficina del Fiscal del Condado de Los Ángeles generalmente no procesará casos de disturbios de la paz a menos que hayas sido un delincuente reincidente en los últimos 24 meses.14
4. Consecuencias de Inmigración
Una condena en California por perturbar la paz no tendrá consecuencias negativas de inmigración. Esto se debe a que no es un “delito que involucra depravación moral”.
(2) Any person who maliciously and willfully disturbs another person by loud and unreasonable noise.
(3) Any person who uses offensive words in a public place which are inherently likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction.
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
When a defendant is convicted of a violation of Section 415, the court may, if it is in the interests of justice and the defendant consents thereto, defer further proceedings and place him or her on probation upon terms and conditions which may include the payment of a fine, which shall not exceed four hundred dollars ($400).
(a) In any case in which a defendant has fulfilled the conditions of probation for the entire period of probation, or has been discharged prior to the termination of the period of probation, or in any other case in which a court, in its discretion and the interests of justice, determines that a defendant should be granted the relief available under this section, the defendant shall, at any time after the termination of the period of probation, if he or she is not then serving a sentence for any offense, on probation for any offense, or charged with the commission of any offense, be permitted by the court to withdraw his or her plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere and enter a plea of not guilty; or, if he or she has been convicted after a plea of not guilty, the court shall set aside the verdict of guilty; and, in either case, the court shall thereupon dismiss the accusations or information against the defendant and except as noted below, he or she shall thereafter be released from all penalties and disabilities resulting from the offense of which he or she has been convicted, except as provided in Section 13555 of the Vehicle Code. The probationer shall be informed, in his or her probation papers, of this right and privilege and his or her right, if any, to petition for a certificate of rehabilitation and pardon. The probationer may make the application and change of plea in person or by attorney, or by the probation officer authorized in writing. However, in any subsequent prosecution of the defendant for any other offense, the prior conviction may be pleaded and proved and shall have the same effect as if probation had not been granted or the accusation or information dismissed. The order shall state, and the probationer shall be informed, that the order does not relieve him or her of the obligation to disclose the conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for
(2) Cualquier persona que perturbe maliciosamente y voluntariamente a otra persona con ruido fuerte e irrazonable.
(3) Cualquier persona que use palabras ofensivas en un lugar público que sean inherentemente propensas a provocar una reacción violenta inmediata.
Para probar que el acusado es culpable de este delito, la Fiscalía debe probar que:
1. El acusado voluntariamente [e ilegalmente] (peleó / [o] desafió a alguien más a pelear);
[Y]
2. El acusado y la otra persona estaban (en un lugar público / en un edificio o en los terrenos de) cuando (ocurrió la pelea / [o] se hizo el desafío) (; / .)
[Y]
[3. El acusado no actuó (en defensa propia / [o] en defensa de otra persona) (; / .)]
[Y
(3/4). El acusado no era (un estudiante registrado en la escuela / [o] una persona que realizaba una actividad laboral lícita).]