§ 22-1322 — Rioting or inciting to riot.

(a) A riot in the District of Columbia is a public disturbance involving an assemblage of 5 or more persons which by tumultuous and violent conduct or the threat thereof creates grave danger of damage or injury to property or persons.

(b) Whoever willfully engages in a riot in the District of Columbia shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 180 days or a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 , or both.

(c) Whoever willfully incites or urges other persons to engage in a riot shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 180 days or a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 , or both.

(d) If in the course and as a result of a riot a person suffers serious bodily harm or there is property damage in excess of $5,000, every person who willfully incited or urged others to engage in the riot shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than the amount set forth in § 22-3571.01 , or both.

(e) A law enforcement officer's failure to comply with the requirements of § 5-331.07 shall be a defense in prosecutions for violations of subsection (b) or (c) of this section.

Legislative History

Dec. 27, 1967, 81 Stat. 742, Pub. L. 90-226, title IX, § 901; Aug. 20, 1994, D.C. Law 10-151, § 111, 41 DCR 2608; June 11, 2013, D.C. Law 19-317, § 216, 60 DCR 2064