July 27, 2009

Tumultuous behavior defined

The rationale behind criminalizing disorderly conduct rests on the belief that a disorderly person can provoke violence in others. Given that an inherent part of police work involves being in the presence of distraught individuals, and given that police officers are trained to maintain order, the Court concluded that police should be the least likely to be provoked [by a 58-year-old professor who walks with a cane]. Therefore, police presence alone does not satisfy the public element.
Via The Massachusetts District Attorneys Association.*

"Tumultuous behavior" is right up there with "aggravated mopery," although it's open to discussion which best describes falsely attributing information about the suspects' race to the 911 caller.

* a.k.a. law enforcement officers.

2 comments:

Jim Bouman said...

Aggravated Mopery.

Delighted to see you digging deep into the lexicon of the late great conscience of the windy city, devotee of 16 in. softball, and chronicler of da deeds of Da Mare, Mike Royko.

Gone a dozen years, now. And missed.... Missed? The word hardly works to describe how much we need him, or somebody like him.

You, EyeTee, are filling the gap. MJS is needing a columnist. If they have shred of sense left in that pile down by 4th and State, they'll come begging you to write for them, for us.

Hold oout for the big bux.

Aggravated Mopery.

illusory tenant said...

You're far too kind, sir. But I don't think they're hiring anyway. (You should be there yourself.)