HB 125: Heightened penalties for "riot"
Would create significant penalties that could cover peaceful protesters in a raucous demonstration where someone was injured. Under the bill, “riot” would be a felony rather than misdemeanor offense if it “result[ed] in physical injury to any person.” As written, the bill would make it possible for an individual to face felony penalties for “riot” regardless of whether they personally injured anyone, how serious the injury was, or whether the injury was intentional—merely if injury “resulted” from a “riot” they participated in. Idaho law, moreover, defines “riot” broadly to include just two or more people who take “any action… or threat thereof” that “disturb[s] the public peace.” As such, under the bill, if a protest were deemed a “riot” and any injury occurred, participants could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
(See full text of bill here)Status: pending
Introduced 4 Feb 2025; Approved by House 17 February 2025
Issue(s): Riot