Unfortunately for people who want to keep moving while on crowded sidewalks it’s been ruled that even if you and your friends are blocking peoples paths through bustling Times Square it’s not a crime.

Matthew Jones had been charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in June of 2004, but the New York Court of Appeals decided on Tuesday to overturn his conviction. At the time police has said that people had to walk around him and that he wouldn’t moved when asked and he flailed his arms.

Jones pleaded guilty in 2004 after spending a night in jail, but he later appealed.

To be convicted of disorderly conduct in New York, a person must be acting “with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof” and obstructing vehicular or pedestrian traffic, according to the unanimous opinion.

The court found that Jones’ behavior - standing in the middle of the sidewalk at 2:01 a.m. with friends - did not meet the definition.

“Otherwise, any person who happens to stop on a sidewalk - whether to greet another, to seek directions or simply to regain one’s bearings - would be subject to prosecution under this statute,” the opinion said.

Maybe this isn’t illegal, but it sure is rude when I encounter it on the streets of Toronto. Move to the side people!

A Sheboygan, Wis. man has been accused of stomping a pet tropical fish to death.

The fish stomping occurred during a dispute with his girlfriend. Anastacio Molina Jr, 40, now faces charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. Hmmm no animal cruelty?

A call came into the police station at about 5:30 pm Tuesday stating that Molina was destroying the house. This was the second time that the police had been to the house that day. Five hours earlier they’d arrived as a result of verbal dispute that occurred when Molina ordered his girlfriend to move out of the home.

Upon arrival at the house, the remains of the pet fish, an Oscar, were on the sidewalk. The 12 year old son of Molina’s girlfriend had told police that Molina had taken it out of it’s tank and stomped it to death. He then went on to break a stereo and a picture window.

Molina had a prior conviction for child abuse so these misdemenor charges have penalty enhancers added to them. he could face up to four years in prison and a possible $11,000 in fines.

On Friday, a Delaware judge ordered a man to wear a T-shirt with the words: “I am a registered sex offender” in bold letters. russell, Teeter, 69, plead guilty to two counts of indecent exposure for twice exposing himself to a 10-year-old girl at his workplace.
Teeter was also was sentenced to 60 days in jail by Superior Court Judge Jan Jurden in Wilmington.

Roberts said he requested the unusual T-shirt punishment because he was concerned about Teeter exposing himself to children at the gardening business he runs with his wife. I think his wife should run her business on her own or else she’s not going to have one once her husband shows up with that T-shirt on.

Teeter had at least 10 prior convictions dating back to 1976 for exposing himself to children and had been diagnosed as a compulsive exhibitionist. Teeter will have to wear the T-shirt at work for 22 months after he gets out of jail. He has 30 days to appeal the sentence.