Columbia Disturbing a judicial proceeding ordinance (§ 16-209)
Chapter 16: Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions · Article II. Code of Offenses
In short: It's a class A misdemeanor to disrupt a court proceeding by shouting or displaying a sign in an assembly, with the purpose of intimidating a judge, attorney, juror, party or witness and influencing the case, including by demanding a specific action or commenting on their character.
Our plain-English summary, not the official text or legal advice. The ordinance below is what counts.
(a) A person commits the crime of disturbing a judicial proceeding if, with purpose to intimidate a judge, attorney, juror, party or witness, and thereby to influence a judicial proceeding, he disrupts or disturbs a judicial proceeding by participating in an assembly and calling aloud, shouting, or holding or displaying a placard or sign containing written or printed matter, concerning the conduct of the judicial proceeding, or the character of a judge, attorney, juror, party or witness engaged in such proceeding, or calling for or demanding any specified action or determination by such judge, attorney, juror, party or witness in connection with such proceeding.
(b) Disturbing a judicial proceeding is a class A misdemeanor.
Official source: City of Columbia official Code of Ordinances (online): look up Sec. 16-209
Text from Supplement 139 (September 3, 2026).
Last checked November 1, 2026. The city's official copy controls; this page is a reading copy, not legal advice.