Over the past year, America has captured international news for matters we wish weren’t so: rioting in our beautiful cities over the deaths of African-American individuals at the hands of police officers, particular Caucasian officers. Most recently: the death of Freddie Gray who died while in police custody in Baltimore, MD.
It’s one thing to protest and argue for rights, but it’s another to do so violently and dangerously. This civil unrest can lead to additional unwanted problems like fines and jail time. Specifics (how much jail time, what amount of fines and bail, etc.) may vary from state-to-state. As a country, we are always encouraged to exercise our right to protest, but we want to caution you all to think wisely of how you will go about doing so.
Inciting a riot, rioting, battery on a peace or police officer, destroying property – obviously these are all illegal. You will be arrested. You will have fines to pay, and maybe even jail time. In California, rioting can lead to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine. For battery on a peace or police officer, you can face a few years in jail and up to $10,000 in fines!