Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

At one time or another, almost everyone has received a parking ticket or citation that they felt was given out unfairly. In fact, many reality TV shows focus solely or in large part on what happens when drivers are pulled over or cited for some driving violation and react inappropriately. While it may seem unfair at times getting a speeding ticket when you were only going three miles per hour over the limit or getting ticketed for a u-turn at a spot where everyone else seemingly makes u-turns with impunity, taking it out on the officer or law enforcement agency responsible for giving you the citation is only going to make your life harder.

For a great example of this, look no further than a twenty-two year-old Chicago man who was recently arrested for disorderly conduct after he expressed his disapproval of a parking ticket he was issued by the Bartlett Police Department. The man decided that he would show the police department how he felt about receiving the ticket, so he used the ticket to perform a grotesque act of self-cleansing and then sent the ticket to the police department. They did not think the maneuver was as clever as he did, and he was charged with disorderly conduct.

In Tennessee, a person can be charged with disorderly conduct for a variety of reasons pursuant to T.C.A. §39-17-305. Of importance in this situation is T.C.A. §39-17-305(a)(3) which provides that a person can be so charged if he or she “creates a hazardous or physically offensive condition by any act that serves no legitimate purpose.” Clearly the act in question here is physically offensive and serves no legitimate purpose. A violation of this statute is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by up to thirty days in jail and a fine of $50.00. It should also be noted that the man will still have to pay the parking ticket.

It is a defense to such a charge that the act was not physically offensive or hazardous or that it served a legitimate purpose. Tennesseans who have been charged with this offense and wish to inquire about possible defenses or obtain assistance with the trial process should contact an experienced Knoxville criminal defense attorney for help with their case.

Source: http://www.cltv.com/news/wgntv-parking-ticket-toliet-paper-april21,0,5760700.story