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 Vermont, rioting and related offenses are addressed under the state's criminal statutes. Vermont law defines rioting as a gathering of people that results in conduct creating immediate danger of damage to property or injury to persons, substantially obstructs law enforcement or other governmental functions, is tumultuous or violent leading to public alarm, or deprives any person of a legal right or disturbs their enjoyment of it through force or threat of force. The state's statutes outline penalties for participating in a riot, as well as for inciting a riot, which involves urging others to engage in riotous behavior. Additionally, Vermont law covers offenses such as unlawful assembly, where individuals assemble for the purpose of engaging in conduct constituting a riot, and failing to disperse, which occurs when individuals do not leave an area after being ordered to do so by law enforcement. Disturbing the peace is another related offense that involves engaging in violent, tumultuous, or threatening behavior that causes public inconvenience or alarm. Penalties for these offenses can include fines, imprisonment, or both, depending on the severity of the actions and the specific circumstances of the case.