# Criminal Law (GCR)

## Title 10. Crimes Against Public Health, Conduct, and Sensibilities

### Subtitle 2. Disturbing the Peace, Disorderly Conduct, and Related Crimes

#### Section 10-201

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2)

    (i) "Public conveyance" means a conveyance to which the public or a portion of the public has access to and a right to use for transportation.

    (ii) "Public conveyance" includes an airplane, vessel, bus, railway car, school vehicle, and subway car.

  (3)

    (i) "Public place" means a place to which the public or a portion of the public has access and a right to resort for business, dwelling, entertainment, or other lawful purpose.

    (ii) "Public place" includes:

      (1) a restaurant, shop, shopping center, store, tavern, or other place of business;

      (2) a public building;

      (3) a public parking lot;

      (4) a public street, sidewalk, or right-of-way;

      (5) a public park or other public grounds;

      (6) the common areas of a building containing four or more separate dwelling units, including a corridor, elevator, lobby, and stairwell;

      (7) a hotel or motel;

      (8) a place used for public resort or amusement, including an amusement park, golf course, race track, sports arena, swimming pool, and theater;

      (9) an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education;

      (10) a place of public worship;

      (11) a place or building used for entering or exiting a public conveyance, including an airport terminal, bus station, dock, railway station, subway station, and wharf; and

      (12) the parking areas, sidewalks, and other grounds and structures that are part of a public place.

(b) For purposes of a prosecution under this section, a public conveyance or a public place need not be devoted solely to public use.

(c)

  (1) A person may not willfully and without lawful purpose obstruct or hinder the free passage of another in a public place or on a public conveyance.

  (2) A person may not willfully act in a disorderly manner that disturbs the public peace.

  (3) A person may not willfully fail to obey a reasonable and lawful order that a law enforcement officer makes to prevent a disturbance to the public peace.

  (4) A person who enters the land or premises of another, whether an owner or lessee, or a beach adjacent to residential riparian property, may not willfully:

    (i) disturb the peace of persons on the land, premises, or beach by making an unreasonably loud noise; or

    (ii) act in a disorderly manner.

  (5) A person from any location may not, by making an unreasonably loud noise, willfully disturb the peace of another:

    (i) on the other's land or premises;

    (ii) in a public place; or

    (iii) on a public conveyance.

  (6) In Worcester County, a person may not build a bonfire or allow a bonfire to burn on a beach or other property between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

(d) A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 60 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

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Md. Code Ann., Crim. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)