2C:33-1 Riot; Failure to Disperse

Kenneth Vercammen's office represents persons charged with criminal and traffic offenses. The following is NJ law on 2C:33-1. Riot; failure to disperse a. Riot. A person is guilty of riot if he participates with four or more others in a course of disorderly conduct as defined in section 2C:33-2a: (1) With purpose to commit or facilitate the commission of a crime; (2) With purpose to prevent or coerce official action; or (3) When he or any other participant, known to him, uses or plans to use a firearm or other deadly weapon. Riot if committed under circumstances set forth in paragraph (3) is a crime of the third degree. Otherwise riot is a crime of the fourth degree. b. Failure of disorderly persons to disperse upon official order. Where five or more persons are participating in a course of disorderly conduct as defined in section 2C:33-2 a. likely to cause substantial harm, a peace officer or other public servant engaged in executing or enforcing the law may order the participants and others in the immediate vicinity to disperse. A person who refuses or knowingly fails to obey such an order commits a disorderly persons offense. L.1978, c. 95, s. 2C:33-1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by L.1979, c. 178, s. 63, eff. Sept. 1, 1979; L.1981, c. 290, s. 35, eff. Sept. 24, 1981.