Ron DeSantis v. Dream Defenders

Summary

The court answered three jurisdictionally proper certified questions concerning Florida's riot statute and held that the statute does not criminalize a person who merely attends a protest that becomes violent. A riot requires a violent public disturbance involving at least three persons acting with a common intent to assist one another in violent and disorderly conduct, resulting in injury, property damage, or imminent danger of either. The defendant must also willfully participate, meaning intentionally, knowingly, and purposely act with intent to assist others in violent and disorderly conduct.