Source: https://scmoorelaw.com/law-practices-va-dc/criminal-defense-alexandria-arlington-fairfax-dc/virginia-law-on-protesting-and-unlawful-assembly/
Timestamp: 2020-07-12 21:22:35
Document Index: 493482377

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18', '§ 18']

Virginia Law on Protesting and Unlawful Assembly – Law Office of Samuel C. Moore, PLLC
Virginia Law on Protesting and Unlawful Assembly
As mass-protests continue in cities throughout the country, it may be difficult to know what your rights, particularly as your right to freedom of speech intersects with public safety. Here is a refresher on some of the important Virginia laws on protests, assemblies, riots, and other similar concerns.
Virginia Laws on Protest, Riot, and Unlawful Assembly
Virginia has a series of laws that may impact any protest or assembly:
§ 18.2-404: Obstructing free passage of others.
Va. Code § 18.2-404
§ 18.2-405: What constitutes a riot and how is it punished?
Any unlawful use, by three or more persons acting together, of force or violence which seriously jeopardizes the public safety, peace or order is a riot.
Va. code § 18.2-405
Va. Code § 18.2-406: What constitutes an unlawful assembly and how is it punished?
Va. Code § 18.2-406
Va. Code § 18.2-407: Remaining at place of riot or unlawful assembly after warning to disperse.
Va. Code § 18.2-407
Va. Code § 18.2-408: Conspiracy and incitement to riot.
Va. Code § 18.2-408
Va. Code § 18.2-413: Commission of certain offenses in county, city, or town declared by Governor to be in state of riot or insurrection.
Va. Code § 18.2-413
Va. Code § 18.2-414: Injury to property or persons by persons unlawfully or riotously assembled.
Va. Code § 18.2-414
Va. Code § 18.2-414.1: Obstructing emergency medical services agency personnel in performance of mission and the punishment.
Va. Code § 18.2-414.1
Va. Code § 18.2-414.2: Crossing established police lines, perimeters or barricades.
Va. Code § 18.2-414.2
Va. Code § 18.2-415: Disorderly conduct in public places.
A person is guilty of disorderly conduct if, with the intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm, or recklessly creating a risk thereof, he […] In any street, highway, public building, or while in or on a public conveyance, or public place engages in conduct having a direct tendency to cause acts of violence by the person or persons at whom, individually, such conduct is directed….
A person violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Va. Code § 18.2-415
You should also know that Virginia law provides a good deal of “immunity” to law enforcement officers acting in response to “unlawful assemblies” or “riots.”
Va. Code § 18.2-412: Immunity of officers and others in quelling a riot or unlawful assembly.
Va. Code § 18.2-412
As mentioned in this post, attending any protest or similar gathering creates a strange predicament, where you are expected or required to wear a mask for safety and health reasons, but prohibited from wearing a mask to conceal your identity.
What To Do If Confronted By Law Enforcement
If you are confronted by law enforcement, you should obey all lawful orders, such as orders to disperse. Declarations by state, county, and city officials can change your obligations, and you need to be aware of such declarations, such as curfews.
If you are detained or arrested, do not talk to the police. Do not argue with the police. If you are asked questions, request to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any confessions or paperwork trying to explain what happened prior to your arrest.
If you are arrested, and released, contact a criminal lawyer immediately. Do not wait for any court dates. Even if you are charged with what you consider (or your friends tell you is) a “low level” misdemeanor, you should consult with an attorney. Virginia does not expunge any conviction. Even if you think you can afford to just pay off the fine, the charge will stay on your record, which may cause employment and clearance problems for you in the future.
If you are arrested, and denied bond, contact friends or family who can help you get in touch with a criminal defense lawyer immediately. If your bond was denied by a magistrate, a qualified local attorney can file a Bond Motion to attempt to get you released from jail.
It can be a difficult time to know what you are and are not permitted to do–and some actions that are not being enforced right now may still be enforced as criminal actions in the future–so consult with one of our qualified Virginia or Washington, D.C., criminal defense attorneys with any questions.