PC 302 – Disturbing a Religious meeting

Disturbing a Religious Meeting – Table of Contents

• PC 302 Overview
• PC 302 Sentencing
• PC 302 Defenses
• Disturbing a Religious Meeting – Hire Us

Penal Code 302 – Overview

It is unlawful to intentional disturb, disquiets any assemblage of people who meet for religious worship at a tax-exempt place of worship, with profane discourse, rude or indecent behavior, or by any unnecessary noise, including inside the place of worship where the meeting is held, or near that place that disturbs the order a solemnity of the meeting.

What is considered a ‘Religious Worship’ under Penal Code 302?

The Free Exercise Clause under the First Amendment of the United States protects the right of people to associate freely in religious institutions free from state interference, and free from public intrusion so long as the religious institution is registered in the State under some form of a business entity (even if tax exempt) and is lawfully recognized to worship. Furthermore, the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment dictates that all religious practices so lawful organized under any State by charter or petition recognized may congregate without intrusion or intimidation. The Establishment Clause, as it is applied to religious construction is a matter of social maintenance and preservation on church grounds and its curtilage; this means that no person or group of others that under the laws of the United States that can interfere with the peaceful demonstration of religion on designated property to disturb the free flow of thoughts which strain from any methods to facilitate the practice.

What is the mental state required for a violation under Penal Code 302?

Intentional is the mental state required. Intentional is the act of doing something on purpose. When something is purposeful it indicates the conscious acknowledgement of the classification of the act as unlawful and the consensual decision to do the act for an unlawful means no matter the natural and probable consequences of that may derive from its result. As applied to Penal Code 302 PC, the person accused knew that disturbing, or disquieting an assembly of worship, or the people who meet at the curtilage is unlawful; and does so by utilizing profane, rude, indecent behavior, or any unnecessary noise either inside or on the curtilage that ruins the solemnity of the meeting: knowing the act is unlawful and appreciates the natural and probable consequences that result from the act whether completed or not.

What is considered rude, profane discourse and incident behavior under PC 302?

Since rude, profane and incident behavior is vague it is better to find appropriate definitions. There is a reasonable understanding on the nature of the words rude, profane discourse and incident behavior as applied to religious settings. Anything that goes against the grain of decency which prevents the orderly administrative functions of a religious practice in congregation or celebration on lawfully permitted and regulated grounds is considered an overall disturbance. Essentially, it’s any conduct that is not tolerated inside or around a place of worship that ruins the dignity of that religious function.

Penal Code 302 PC – Sentencing

A violation of Penal Code 302 PC is a misdemeanor. Punishment includes confinement not exceeding 1 year in jail, and fines not exceeding $1000 dollars. In addition, the court may implement community service no less than 50 hours, but no more than 80 hours as an alternative to confinement; upon a second offense the range of community service enhances to 50 to 80 hours. As implied by the victim, and taking into consideration by the court, the accused can be required to conduct all or a portion of the community service at the place of worship or for its members.

What is an example of a violation of Penal Code 302 PC?

• To commemorate MLK Day First United Methodist Church, the Iranian Christian Church of San Diego and the Nessah Synagogue sponsored a telephone drive that garnished donations for the COVID-19 pandemic. Each of its pastors and rabbis invited its members to a meeting hall to experience each of the factions’ principals of religion. It was an invitation only event. The meeting hall was selected by lease, and a permit for a public function and congregation of religious affiliation was purchased from City Hall. During the activities, a group of masked men and drove around the meeting hall screaming as loud as they can through megaphones, throwing pieces of paper on the property. Men from the event, and respective congregations came out and asked the revelers to stop the conducted activity but that resulted with, “the middle finger” from the masked men who screamed louder. As a result, the worship stopped and two of the pastors and rabbis came out and asked the disturbance to stop: the same gestures were returned. The police were called. And the parties were arrested.

Penal code 302 PC – Defending

1. Involuntary Intoxication
2. Diminished Capacity
3. Duress
4. Necessity
5. Reclaiming a Property Right

Disturbing a Religious Meeting – Hire Us

If you are charged with a violation of Penal Code 302 PC, call Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Yuliya Kelmansky, principal attorney of Kelmansky Law.

Need a Criminal Defense Attorney? CALL NOW: 213-932-8922

Yuliya Kelmansky is an Expert Criminal Defense Attorney who has over 15 years of practice defending a variety of criminal cases.