The criminal offense of unlawful assembly generally means the assembly of multiple persons resulting in conduct that (1) is intended to commit a breach of the peace or other unlawful act; (2) creates an immediate danger of damage to property or injury to persons; (3) substantially obstructs law enforcement or other governmental functions or services; (4) is tumultuous or violent and likely to cause public alarm; or (5) 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.

Unlawful assembly laws vary from state to state and some states have related offenses such as rioting, riots and routs, participating in a riot, inciting a riot, failing to disperse, and disturbing the peace. The criminal offense of unlawful assembly may be included in the definition of one or more of these offenses or may be a separate criminal offense. These laws are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Louisiana (LA), the criminal offense of unlawful assembly is addressed under the state's statutes, specifically within the Louisiana Revised Statutes. According to Louisiana law, an unlawful assembly is typically defined as a gathering of three or more persons with the intent to carry out an unlawful act or to conduct themselves in a tumultuous manner likely to disturb the peace. The statutes also cover related offenses such as rioting, inciting a riot, and disturbing the peace. These offenses can include acts that result in a breach of the peace, pose an immediate danger to persons or property, obstruct law enforcement or government functions, or involve violent or tumultuous behavior that causes public alarm. Additionally, actions that deprive someone of a legal right or disturb someone in the enjoyment of a legal right through force or threat of force can also be considered under these statutes. Penalties for unlawful assembly and related offenses in Louisiana can range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the conduct and the specific charges brought forth by prosecutors. An attorney can provide more detailed information on how these laws are applied and what defenses may be available to someone charged with such an offense in Louisiana.