Inciting a Riot in Tennessee
Commenting on the possible cause of the current hostile fervor surrounding healthcare in America, Senator Arlen Specter stated, "I think there is a mood in America of anger with so many people unemployed, with so much bickering in Washington ... with the fear of losing their health care. It all boils over."
Protest, demonstrations and town hall disruptions can be seen everywhere, across the nation and right here in East Tennessee. While many have been and may likely be charged with loitering and disorderly conduct, others may also be charged with the more serious crimes of rioting. This blog entry lays out some of the basic elements of riot crimes in Tennessee. If charged with such a crime, you should contact an experienced Sevierville criminal defense attorney immediately.
Under Tennessee law, a riot means “a disturbance in a public place…involving an assemblage of three or more persons which, by tumultuous and violent conduct, creates grave danger of substantial damage to property or serious bodily injury to persons or substantially obstructs law enforcement or other governmental function.”
There are three riot crimes in Tennessee. The lesser offense is simple rioting, which is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. If you knowingly participate in a riot, you can be charged with this offense. Another lesser offense is inciting a riot. This inchoate crime penalizes those who solicit or encourage another to participate in a riot. It is also classified as a misdemeanor.
Aggravated rioting, a more serious crime, occurs when a person knowingly participates in a riot and the riot results in bodily injury to another or causes substantial property damage. This charge is classified as a Class E felony, which may result in a maximum 6 year prison sentence and a $3,000 fine.
As you can see, rioting is broadly defined in Tennessee and it doesn’t take much for a prosecutor to make what may appear to many as disorderly conduct and make it out to be a more serious offense of rioting.
At Baker Associates, our team of skilled, professional attorneys has enjoyed a lot of success in getting charges reduced or dismissed. Even if the charge carries low penalties, you should know that misdemeanors can stay on your permanent record for the rest of your life, inhibiting your job prospects and future. If you have been charged with rioting or disorderly conduct, don’t hesitate to call one of our skilled TN criminal defense attorneys at Baker Associates.
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