While often portrayed in movies as a clever distraction or funny move by the protagonist, pulling a fire alarm in real life can have major consequences — particularly when there’s not an actual fire or other evacuation emergency. While this may seem like a harmless prank, if you pull a fire alarm without cause, it’s possible that you could face charges of disorderly conduct in Massachusetts. Here’s what you should know about disorderly conduct charges, the penalties you may have, and how an attorney can help. 

Understanding False Fire Alarm Charges

The law surrounding the false pulling of a fire alarm is found in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 13. The law clearly states that if a person makes a “false alarm of fire” without reasonable cause, they will be penalized. Note that the statute specifies a false alarm of fire by “outcry or the ringing of bells, or otherwise…” This means that the statute is very broad and is not just limited to pulling a fire alarm, but also could include shouting “Fire!”

Penalties for False Fire Alarm Charges

The same statute above also outlines the penalties for pulling a fire alarm/making a false alarm of fire: a fine of not less than $100 and up to $500, or by a period of incarceration of up to one year. 

In some cases, there may be other charges that are stacked. For example, if the defendant is intoxicated at the time of false alarm, they could receive a public intoxication/disorderly conduct charge. Similarly, if the defendant is both intoxicated and under the age of 21, they could incur additional penalties. It’s possible that trespassing charges could also be stacked depending on the circumstances. 

Defenses Available to You

It’s important to speak to your attorney about defenses that may be applicable in your case, as all cases are unique. Two common defenses to charges such as these are claiming that you truly believed there was a fire or another emergency, and therefore you had reasonable cause to make an alarm of fire, or claiming that you did not know that you were triggering an alarm or did not intend to pull an alarm. For example, perhaps you had reason to believe that the alarm was disabled, or maybe you leaned against the alarm and triggered it unintentionally. Another defense could be a health condition that results in unpredictable behavior or outbursts. 

Navigating the Legal Process with an Attorney on Your Side 

Whatever the circumstances of your case, it’s important to have an attorney on your side who can help you to understand the charges you’re facing and possible defenses. At The Law Office of Paul R. Moraski, we have the experienced and trustworthy Massachusetts criminal defense lawyers you can trust. Call us today at (978) 397-0011 or reach out online for a consultation today.