US man faces jail for laughing too loud

I did not know it was a crime to laugh out a window,says Robert Schiavelli.

A laugh riot may land you in jail! A US man is facing 30 days in jail or USD 500 fine for laughing too loud in his own home.

Forty-two-year old Robert Schiavelli of Rockville Centre,New York received the tickets for 8220;disturbing the peace8221; on consecutive days in February after police responded to a neighbour8217;s complaints that his laughter could be heard across the street.

Schiavelli,who suffers from neurological problems and seizures was recently slapped with two 8220;absurd8221; summon sesafter his next-door neighbour complained,8217;New York Post8217; reported. 8220;I did not know it was a crime to laugh out a window,8221; said Schiavelli. Schiavelli was chortling because he says his neighbour often taunts him due to his disability 8211; and his best defen seis to laugh him off. However,a detective responded to the Rockville Centre neighbour8217;s complaints and wrote up two tickets for 8220;disturbing the peace8221; at 6 pm on February 12 and 13.

Each summons carried a USD 250 fine or 15 days in jail.8221;It8217;s absurd. My client faces 30 days in jail for laughing,8221; Schiavelli8217;s lawyer Andrew Campanelli said. Schiavelli,who lives with his mother,was charged with acting 8220;in such a manner as to annoy,disturb,interfere with,obstruct,or be offensive to others.8221;

8220;The last time I checked,it was not a crime to laugh 8211; except in Rockville Centre,8221; Campanelli said. At Schiavelli8217;s arraignment yesterday,local Judge William Croutier said he 8220;was not so inclined8221; to dismiss the charges.

When the judge asked why police were called,Campanelli said,8221;My client is a bit of a gentle giant. The way here sponds to his neighbour is to laugh.8221; 8220;I will never let him take a plea on this,8221; a fuming Campanelli added.