What defines a riot?

A riot is specifically characterized as a violent breach of the peace involving three or more individuals. This definition emphasizes the element of violence and disorder, which disrupts public peace and safety. The involvement of multiple people, usually acting in unison, elevates the situation from mere disagreement or civil discontent to an unlawful and aggressive act that can pose a significant threat to others and property.

While gatherings of people sharing ideas or organizing protests against government policies may be contentious topics, they typically do not encompass the violent aspect that defines a riot. Similarly, a disorder arising from a sporting event might involve chaos, but without the critical element of violence or intent to disturb the peace among a group, it wouldn't meet the threshold of a riot. Thus, the key aspect of a riot is the collective violent action that disrupts public order.