Defendant’s Behavior Did Not Justify Arrest for Disorderly Conduct

The defendant’s arrest for “disorderly conduct” was not supported by probable cause.  Specifically, the proof was insufficient to support the “public harm” element of the offense.  “During daylight hours on a public street, defendant made two abusive statements claiming harassment to a police officer who was seated in a patrol car. …[T]he public outburst was extremely brief, lasting about 15 seconds. The statements were not accompanied by menacing conduct … . And there is no basis to infer that [the officer] felt threatened by the statements.”  The “risk to public order” was not sufficient to justify the arrest.  People vs. Baker, No. 16, CtApp 2-7-13