{"id":352136,"date":"2024-06-07T18:11:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-07T23:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rioting-and-inciting-riots.html"},"modified":"2024-06-07T18:11:00","modified_gmt":"2024-06-07T23:11:00","slug":"rioting-and-inciting-riots","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-charges\/rioting-and-inciting-riots.html","title":{"rendered":"Rioting and Inciting to Riot"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rioting and Inciting to Riot<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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While the First Amendment protects peaceful protest, speech that incites imminent violence is not protected and can lead to criminal charges and steep penalties.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

The right to protest is among the oldest and most respected rights in the American democratic system. The right of citizens to peacefully protest<\/a> is protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. But there are limits to even the most important rights.<\/p>\n

Most states have their own laws defining what constitutes a riot and incitement to riot. After the 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol<\/a>, hundreds of people faced charges under federal laws, including offenses based on their role in the riot that day.<\/p>\n

This article explains federal and state laws against rioting and inciting to riot. You will learn:<\/p>\n