Understanding Michigan’s Riot Laws and Penalties

Understanding Michigan’s Riot Laws and Penalties

Understanding Michigan’s Riot Laws and Penalties

In any society, maintaining peace and order is paramount. Michigan, like other states, has specific laws in place to address situations of public unrest and violence.

To understand the legal framework and potential consequences of riot-related activities in the state you must read the law.  Also understand that the laws can be interpreted and twisted in many ways to fit the prosecutions narrative and agenda depending on who you are and what you were taking a stand for.

Note: Other charges will be piled on these charges but we are just talking about the rioting laws in Michigan here.

Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL)
Chapter 750
RIOTS AND RELATED CRIMES
Act 302 of 1968

752.541 Riot.

Sec. 1.

   It is unlawful and constitutes the crime of riot for 5 or more persons, acting in concert, to wrongfully engage in violent conduct and thereby intentionally or recklessly cause or create a serious risk of causing public terror or alarm.

752.542 Inciting to riot.

Sec. 2.

   It is unlawful and constitutes incitement to riot for a person or persons, intending to cause or to aid or abet the institution or maintenance of a riot, to do an act or engage in conduct that urges other persons to commit acts of unlawful force or violence, or the unlawful burning or destroying of property, or the unlawful interference with a police officer, peace officer, fireman or a member of the Michigan national guard or any unit of the armed services officially assigned to riot duty in the lawful performance of his duty.

752.542a Riot at state correctional facility.

Sec. 2a.

   A person shall not willfully instigate, cause, attempt to cause, assist in causing, or conspire to cause a riot at a state correctional facility. As used in this section, “riot at a state correctional facility” means 3 or more persons, acting in concert, who intentionally or recklessly engage in violent conduct within a state correctional facility that threatens the security of the state correctional facility or threatens the safety or authority of persons responsible for maintaining the security of the state correctional facility.

752.543 Unlawful assembly.

Sec. 3.

   It is unlawful and constitutes an unlawful assembly for a person to assemble or act in concert with 4 or more persons for the purpose of engaging in conduct constituting the crime of riot, or to be present at an assembly that either has or develops such a purpose and to remain thereat with intent to advance such purpose.

752.544 Violation as felony; penalty.

Sec. 4.

  (1) A violation of section 1, 2, or 2a is a felony, punishable by not more than 10 years in prison or a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both.
  (2) A violation of section 3 is a felony, punishable by not more than 5 years in prison or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

752.545 Repeal.

Sec. 5.

Sections 521 and 522 of Act No. 328 of the Public Acts of 1931, being sections 750.521 and 750.522 of the Compiled Laws of 1948, are repealed.

History: 1968, Act 302, Imd. Eff. July 1, 1968

750.521-750.522 Repealed. 1968, Act 302, Eff. July 1, 1968.

Compiler’s Notes: The repealed sections pertained to riots and unlawful assemblies; duty of officials to disperse; arrest on failure to disperse.

(Similar to qualified immunity one would guess but more likley because the purpose could be beneficial to one group and not another)

752.546 Effective date.

Sec. 6.

   This act shall take effect July 1, 1968.

 

Have your rights been violated?
Have your driving priviledges been revoked?
Has your professional license been suspended?
Have you been charged with a crime?

Call our office to see if we can help
Komorn Law  248-357-2550

Index

Index and Information Source

Document Type Description
Section 752.541 Section Riot.
Section 752.542 Section Inciting to riot.
Section 752.542a Section Riot at state correctional facility.
Section 752.543 Section Unlawful assembly.
Section 752.544 Section Violation as felony; penalty.
Section 752.545 Section Repeal.
Section 752.546 Section Effective date.

More Posts

Michigan House Bill 5451 of 2024

Michigan House Bill 5451 of 2024

Michigan House Bill 5451 of 2024: A Step Toward "Safer Communities"Michigan House Bill 5451, introduced by Representative Sharon MacDonell in February 2024, aims to enhance firearm safety in homes with children. The bill mandates that the Department of Health and...

read more
Michigan House Bill 5451 of 2024

Michigan House Bill 5450 of 2024

Step by StepMichigan House Bill 5450 of 2024 is a bill that was introduced by Representative Sharon MacDonell on February 14, 2024. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and was reported with a recommendation with a substitute on May 14, 2024. The...

read more
Trump plans – How does Cannabis Business fit in?

Trump plans – How does Cannabis Business fit in?

You work hard. Now get ready to work harder to prepare to give more.President Biden's administration has proposed the reclassification of marijuana from a Schedule I controlled substance to a Schedule III drug, which recognizes its medical benefits. This significant...

read more
When Can Police Take Your Dash Cam?

When Can Police Take Your Dash Cam?

You work hard. Now get ready to work harder to prepare to give more.In Michigan, police can take your dashcam footage in specific situations, primarily when they believe it could serve as evidence in a criminal investigation. Michigan law permits officers to seize...

read more
People who are going to need a Lawyer – November 12, 2024

People who are going to need a Lawyer – November 12, 2024

People who are going to need a LawyerMan so drunk field sobriety tests were ‘too dangerous’ sentenced to life in prison for repeated DWI convictions‘Several terabytes’: Diddy prosecutors shed light on ‘voluminous’ discovery, including iCloud accounts and dozens of...

read more
Cambridge Analytica data breach comes before court

Cambridge Analytica data breach comes before court

Oral arguments in Facebook v. Amalgamated Bank will beginThe justices are set to review securities law as they hear arguments in a significant case linked to the 2015 data breach involving Cambridge Analytica and Facebook. The tech giant’s effort to fend off federal...

read more
Search and Seizure – Consent or Plain view

Search and Seizure – Consent or Plain view

The Fourth Amendment was established to protect individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures, yet there are exceptions.In Michigan, understanding the concepts of search and seizure, particularly regarding consent and plain view, is crucial for both law...

read more
A drunk driving investigation, a car wreck and a blood draw

A drunk driving investigation, a car wreck and a blood draw

A Case Summary: People v. Blake Anthony-William BartonOn October 11, 2024, the Michigan Court of Appeals issued a decision in the case People of the State of Michigan v. Blake Anthony-William Barton. The case involved a drunk driving  investigation following a car...

read more
Police say they can tell if you are too high to drive

Police say they can tell if you are too high to drive

Police say they can tell if you are too high to drive. Critics call it ‘utter nonsense’Haley Butler-Moore sped up to pass a semi on the highway when she suddenly saw the police lights. She’d left Albuquerque hours earlier, heading to a Halloween party in Denver. Tired...

read more