RIOT
riot,n.1. An assemblage of three or more persons in a public place for the purpose of
accomplishing by concerted action — and in a turbulent and disorderly manner — a common
purpose (regardless of the lawfulness of that purpose).2. An unlawful disturbance of the peace by
an assemblage of usu. three or more persons acting with a common purpose in a violent or
tumultuous manner that threatens or terrorizes the public. Cf. unlawful assembly under
ASSEMBLY; CIVIL COMMOTION; ROUT; AFFRAY. [Cases: Riot 1. C.J.S. Riot; Insurrection
§§ 2–10.] — riotous,adj. — riot,vb.
“A riot is defined as an unlawful assembly (i.e. an assembly come together in pursuance of an
unlawful purpose), consisting of at least three persons, which has begun to create a breach of the
peace. At Common Law it is an indictable misdemeanour, punishable by a fine and imprisonment.
But the statutory form of it, introduced by the Riot Act of 1714, is better known. By that statute,
passed to deal with Jacobite disturbances, it was provided that the members of a riotous assembly
of twelve or more persons which does not disperse within an hour after the reading by a magistrate
of the proclamation contained in the Act, become guilty of felony, which, at the time of the
passing of the Act, was a capital offence, and is, even now, punishable with imprisonment for
life.” Edward Jenks, The Book of English Law 136 (P.B. Fairest ed., 6th ed. 1967).
“A riot is a tumultuous disturbance of the peace by three or more persons acting together (a)
in the commission of a crime by open force, or (b) in the execution of some enterprise, lawful or
unlawful, in such a violent, turbulent and unauthorized manner as to create likelihood of public
terror and alarm…. When they come together for this purpose they are guilty of unlawful assembly.
When they start on their way to carry out their common design they are guilty of rout. In the actual
execution of their design they are guilty of riot.” Rollin M. Perkins & Ronald N. Boyce, Criminal
Law 483 (3d ed. 1982). [Blacks Law 8th]