Section 2C:33-1 - Riot; failure to dispersea. 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. 9/1/1979; amended by L.1979, c.178, s.63, eff. 9/1/1979; L.1981, c.290, s.35, eff. 9/24/1981.