Utah Teens Start after School Riot

Three Utah teens are facing felony charges for starting a riot after school in the parking lot of Pine View High School in St. George last week.

Looking for a fight

The teenager girls, one of which was a minor, went to the high school with the intention of starting a fight. When the last bell of the day rang, hundreds of high school students piled out the doors to head home but instead came upon a frightening situation. A handful of students leaving were approached by the three outsiders and punches were thrown.

Riot penalties

Picking a fight with another person isn’t typically considered riot, although it could end in assault charges. A person is considered to be creating a riot when they, along with one or more friends (a small to large group), create an aggressive environment where people around are made to feel as though they are in danger. If they don’t end the dangerous behavior when told, they can face riot charges.

Misdemeanor or felony

According to Utah Code 76-9-101, “Riot is a felony of the third degree if, in the course of and as a result of the conduct, any person suffers bodily injury, or substantial property damage, arson occurs or the defendant was armed with a dangerous weapon ( . . . ); otherwise it is a class B misdemeanor.”

Peer pressure

Although an investigation is pending, it is not known at this time what affiliations the girls who started the riot had with those they targeted; there is a possibility the attack was random. One thing has been made apparent from witnesses however; the underage girl was encouraged by the older teens to fight. Giving in to peer pressure when it puts the individual or others in danger is never worth it in the end. Peer pressure that has led to criminal charges should be discussed thoroughly with a juvenile defense attorney.