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

Restoring Second Amendment Rights in Michigan

Restoring Second Amendment Rights in Michigan

Restoring Your Gun RightsAs of 4/17/24...There is still a second amendment The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution grants citizens the right to bear arms, a fundamental aspect of American freedoms. However, in some cases, just like every other right...

read more
Disciplining Student’s Speech Violates First Amendment

Disciplining Student’s Speech Violates First Amendment

You go girl!!!A public high school was found to have violated the First Amendment when it suspended a student from her cheerleading team for using profane speech off campus. Mahanoy Area Sch Dist v BL, No 20-255, ___ US ___ (June 23, 2021). The U.S. Supreme Court has...

read more
Cannabis cash transactions aren’t suspicious says IRS

Cannabis cash transactions aren’t suspicious says IRS

Following The MoneyLarge cash transactions by marijuana businesses should not be automatically flagged as suspicious, as per the latest IRS guidance. The tax agency's guidance aims to provide clarity on the federal Bank Secrecy Act, which mandates businesses,...

read more
An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000

An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000

An Independent Review of the Intoxilyzer 9000 Part 1 - Residual mouth alcohol detection Counterpoint Volume 2; Issue 2 - Article 3 (August 2017) An article in the Core Skills III-2 Module Jan Semenoff, BA, EMAForensic CriminalistThe opportunity to conduct an...

read more
The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 1)

The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 1)

The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 1 of 2)Roll-Out The Michigan State Police (MSP) initiated Intoxilyzer 9000 (Intoxilyzer) training for police officers statewide, commencing in 2023. In order to participate, officers were required to complete both preliminary breath test...

read more
The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 2)

The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 2)

The Intoxilyzer 9000 (part 2 of 2)Using it The Intoxilyzer is user-friendly and equipped with a built-in feature to alert officers of any potential issues. As a precautionary measure, officers are specifically advised to switch off their portable radios prior to...

read more