Legal Definitions - riot

A riot is a situation where three or more people behave in a violent and uncontrolled manner in public. It is usually done to achieve a common purpose and involves the use or threat of violence, disorder, or terror to the public. This results in a disturbance of the peace.

Under criminal law, inciting a riot and rioting are crimes. The acts may be unlawful in themselves or lawful acts that are done in a violent or turbulent manner. Riots can take different forms, such as escalated labor disputes or political demonstrations. They can occur in public places or within prisons and other institutional facilities.

• A group of people protesting against a government policy turns violent and starts breaking windows and setting cars on fire. This is a riot because it involves three or more people behaving in a violent and uncontrolled manner in public to achieve a common purpose.
• During a soccer match, fans of opposing teams start fighting and throwing objects at each other. This is also a riot because it involves three or more people behaving in a violent and uncontrolled manner in public.

These examples illustrate the definition of a riot because they involve a group of people acting in a violent and uncontrolled manner in public. In both cases, the behavior is done to achieve a common purpose, whether it is protesting against a government policy or supporting a sports team. The use of violence and disorder results in a disturbance of the peace, which is a key characteristic of a riot.