NRS 201.270: Disturbing A Religious Meeting—Definition, Penalties and More
Religious services are not confined to churches, temples, or synagogues—they can happen anywhere. From parks to community spaces, people gather in various places to practice their faith. In Nevada, it is considered a crime to disrupt a religious gathering, underscoring the importance of respecting such assemblies.
It does not matter whether the meeting occurred in a traditional place of worship like a church.
Disturbing a religious meeting is a criminal offense. If arrested and charged, you could face jail time as well as fines.
The Defenders is a criminal defense firm based in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you are facing charges for disturbing a religious meeting, our team of experienced attorneys can help you navigate the legal process and fight for your rights.
Contact our office today to discuss your case for free.
What Does Disturbing a Religious Meeting Mean?
NRS 201.270 reads as follows:
Every person who shall willfully disturb, interrupt, or disquiet any assemblage or congregation of people met for religious worship.
- By noisy, rude or indecent behavior, profane discourse, either within the place where such a meeting is held, or so near it as to disturb the order and solemnity of the meeting.
- By exhibiting shows or plays, or promoting any racing of animals, or gaming of any description, or engaging in any boisterous or noisy amusement;
- By disturbing in any manner without authority of law within one mile thereof, free passage along a highway, or by maliciously cutting or otherwise injuring or disturbing a conveyance or other property belonging to any person in attendance upon such meeting; or
- By menacing, threatening or assaulting any person therein
…shall be guilty of misdemeanor.
Is It Illegal To Disrupt A Religious Service?
It is illegal and is a misdemeanor to interrupt a religious service.
Nevada law outlaws any behavior that interferes with, distracts from or thwarts access to religious worship. The religious service in question does not have to be a house of worship like a mosque for the law to apply.
The service can be any public or private space where people have congregated for worship.
You could be in danger of facing additional charges depending on the circumstances of the disturbance, these charges can include:
- Breaching the peace
- Reckless endangerment
- Trespass
- Harassment
- Vandalism
- Malicious Mischief
What Are The Penalties For Disrupting A Religious Service?
The crime of disturbing a religious meeting is a misdemeanor in Nevada, punishable by up to 6 months in jail and up to a $1000 fine.
First offenses rarely lead to jail time and, in some cases, a lawyer may be able to get the case dismissed altogether if you pay the fine and agree to community service. You might also have to enroll in an impulse control class.
What Are The Defenses Against NRS 201.270
Defense attorney’s will usually use 4 strategies to defend against disturbing a religious service.
No Intent To Disturb
Disturbing a religious service is a willful crime. You must have intended to cause the disruption. If there was no intent then the charges should be dismissed.
False Allegations
Sometimes people are charged with crimes based on accusations of others. These are usually because of jealousy, anger or a misunderstanding. Also, if there is evidence that it wasn’t the defendant or that the defendant behaved lawfully then the charges should be thrown out.
No Religious Meeting
If there was no religious service and it was just a “regular” meeting, NRS 201.270 charges should be dismissed. Note, however, that you might still be charged with a separate crime like disorderly conduct.
Freedom of Speech
In some cases, the disruption of a religious meeting falls under the protection of the First Amendment.
Can You Be Stopped From Entering A Church
While churches and other places of worship are often regarded as public spaces, they are, in fact, private property.
They can restrict anyone at any time from entering their facility.
Can The Records Be Sealed
A conviction for disrupting a religious service can be sealed from someone’s record one year after the case was closed.
Some examples of what can be considered disturbing a religious meeting in Nevada:
- Promoting animal racing ro games near a religious service
- Engaging in noisy or boisterous behavior near a religious service
- Threatening or assaulting anyone at the meeting
- Willfully blocking passage to a religious service
- Maliciously Cutting, injuring, or disturbing property belonging to a person attending a religious meeting.
Related Crimes
NRS 203.090: Disturbing a Meeting
Under this law, it is considered a misdemeanor to disrupt any lawful assembly of people. Such disruptions may occur through actions or words.
This statute applies to gatherings held for purposes such as:
- Board meetings
- Town hall meetings
- Public meetings
Any gathering involving two or more individuals is legally recognized as a meeting under this provision.
This law also prohibits:
- Talking or yelling out of turn during a meeting
- Preventing someone from attending a meeting by impeding there travel to the meeting
- Ruining sound or lighting equipment meant for the meeting.
NRS 203.010: Breach of Peace
This law makes it illegal for a person to engage in loud, profane, or offensive conduct in public, or to incite others to violence or disruption. Breach of peace charges are often applied alongside charges for disrupting religious services if the disturbance caused public unrest.
NRS 200.571: Harassment
Harassment charges may be applied if someone’s actions during the disruption include threats, intimidation, or abusive behavior directed at individuals attending a religious service or meeting.
NRS 207.200: Trespassing
If someone enters or refuses to leave a religious service or private property after being instructed to leave, they can face trespassing charges. This is particularly relevant if the place of worship had restricted someone’s access prior to the disturbance.
The Importance Of Legal Representation
Being charged with any crime can have life altering consequences.
You need an experienced legal representative to navigate the complexities of being charged with disturbing a religious meeting. The Defenders have a staff of legal specialists who handle a variety of cases including disrupting a religious service.
The Defenders have been representing clients in all areas of criminal defense.
Not having the proper legal representation can lead to having a criminal record that can keep you from gainful employment or getting a job in the first place. If you are a member of certain work-related associations or you have a work-related license, you may have that license taken away as a result of a criminal conviction.
You may not be able to get an apartment or rent a building if you have a criminal record.
That’s why regardless of how small you think the charges are you should always seek the help of legal counsel.
The Defenders can be your advocate to help guide through the criminal charge process.
If you are accused of disturbing a religious service, understanding your rights is important.
Having experienced legal representation can help ensure your rights and interests.
Call The Defenders today for a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered disturbing a religious service in Nevada?
Disturbing a religious service involves willfully disrupting a religious meeting through noise, violence, threats, or other actions that interrupt the gathering. Examples include loud, boisterous behavior, threatening individuals, blocking entry, or damaging property near the service. The intent to disrupt is a key element in proving this crime under Nevada law.
Can a disturbing a religious service charge be dismissed?
Charges for disturbing a religious service may be dismissed if there is evidence of no intent to disrupt, false allegations, or if the meeting was not legally defined as a religious service. A defense attorney may also negotiate reduced charges or alternative resolutions such as community service or attending an impulse control program. Legal representation is critical to increasing the chances of dismissal or a favorable outcome.
What penalties could you face for disturbing a religious service?
A conviction for disturbing a religious service is a misdemeanor in Nevada and may result in up to 6 months of jail time and/or a fine of up to $1,000. First-time offenders, however, are often given alternative punishments such as fines, community service, or required classes. Penalties can vary depending on the circumstances and the presence of any prior offenses.
How can legal representation help with a disturbing a religious service charge?
Having an experienced defense attorney is crucial when facing charges for disrupting a religious service. They can explore defenses such as lack of intent, false accusations, or constitutional protections like freedom of speech. Legal representation may also result in reduced penalties, case dismissal, or securing alternatives to a criminal conviction, such as community service or counseling programs.
Can a conviction for disturbing a religious service be removed from your record?
Yes, in Nevada, a conviction for disturbing a religious service can be sealed from your record one year after the case has been closed. Sealing your record ensures the offense does not appear in background checks for employment, housing, or licensing purposes. Consulting a lawyer is recommended to guide you through the record-sealing process effectively.
