Many jurisdictions have laws defining loud music as a criminal offense, typically a misdemeanor.[citation needed] The exact definition of what constitutes a loud music violation varies by location, either at a certain volume (measured in decibels) or the distance from the source at which the music can be heard. The time of day is also often a factor in the law, with the restrictions in some places applying only to specified nighttime hours (e.g. 11 PM-7 AM). The amount of effort put forth by law enforcement members in dealing with loud music also varies by location.
The most common punishment for a conviction is a fine or some other small sanction. But on rare occasions, loud music may be grounds for imprisonment. In May 2008, a United Kingdom woman was sentenced to 90 days in jail for violating a court order not to play music that disturbed her neighbors eleven times.[2]
Police have also at times discovered other crimes, such as illegal drug usage, when investigating loud music complaints.[3]
Many public transportation services have rules against the use of sound-producing devices without earphones, or even with earphones if the music can be heard by others.[citation needed] Since mass transit agencies are frequently government-operated and/or subsidized, these rules can be legally enforced, and violation may result in prosecution.
In 2014, Michael Dunn got a conviction after he got into a fight with several young adults over their loud music.[4] After his arrest, he said, "I got attacked and I fought back because I didn’t want to be a victim and now I'm in trouble.