Rioting or participating in a riot generally means the assembly of multiple persons resulting in conduct that (1) creates an immediate danger of damage to property or injury to persons; (2) substantially obstructs law enforcement or other governmental functions or services; (3) is tumultuous or violent and likely to cause public alarm; or (4) deprives any person of a legal right or disturbs any person in the enjoyment of a legal right by using force or the threat of force.

Rioting laws vary from state to state and some states have related offenses such as inciting a riot, unlawful assembly, failing to disperse, and disturbing the peace. These laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Louisiana (LA), rioting is addressed under the Louisiana Revised Statutes, specifically in Title 14 which pertains to criminal law. According to LA Rev Stat § 14:329.1, a riot is defined as a public disturbance involving an assemblage of three or more persons which by tumultuous and violent conduct creates grave danger of damage or injury to property or persons, or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other government functions. The statute also covers related offenses such as inciting a riot, which is the act of urging others to engage in a riot. Penalties for participating in a riot or inciting a riot can include fines and imprisonment, with the severity of the penalties varying based on the specific circumstances and the extent of the harm or danger caused by the riotous behavior. Additionally, Louisiana law also addresses unlawful assembly and failure to disperse, which are offenses related to rioting that involve gathering with the intent to create a disturbance or not dispersing when ordered to do so by authorities.