Campus police at the University of Colorado at Boulder have some constructive reminders for students as spring unfolds and parties flourish in student neighborhoods: students and non-students alike can be criminally charged if they don't comply with police orders to disperse from riot or crowd situations.
According to CU Police Chief Jim Fadenrecht, inciting or engaging in a riot, disorderly conduct and damaging personal or public property are all punishable offenses under Colorado state law. And even if they are only watching, bystanders can get in trouble with the law if they don't listen to police when given orders to leave.
People are best advised to voluntarily leave situations that are evolving into a riot, and not wait for the order to disperse, Fadenrecht said.
"This can help de-escalate the situation, as well, by reducing the opportunity for mob mentality to take over and not give the instigators an audience or the opportunity to act out anonymously," he said.
People who knowingly disobey a reasonable public safety order to move, disperse or refrain from specified activities in the immediate vicinity of a riot can be charged with a class-three misdemeanor, Fadenrecht said. Fines of up to $750 and jail terms of up to six months are possible with a conviction.
In addition to the legal system, students charged with failure to disperse or other riot-related charges face possible disciplinary action through the university's Office of Judicial Affairs. Depending on the severity of the charge, students found guilty of violating the university's Code of Conduct can face sanctions ranging from probation to suspension and expulsion.
Also, people who aren't caught and arrested immediately are not safe from prosecution. Well after an incident is over, investigators can use digital surveillance pictures and video to identify people who disobey orders, injure others or damage property.
Boulder authorities are continuing to work on ordinances to discourage riots and unruly parties and give police more enforcement power. The highly publicized "couch law," has received initial approval by the Boulder City Council and is expected to get final approval in May.
The city also enacted a nuisance party ordinance on May 1, 2001, which adds the location of beer kegs to the list of things that can get revelers in trouble.
Under the new rule, it is illegal to have an open keg of beer on a front porch or in a front yard or an unscreened side yard. Persons holding a party in violation of the rule face the same punishment as those who have a party with underage drinking, property damage or excessive noise complaints - up to $1,000 in fines and three months in jail.
The educational repercussions from legal trouble can be severe as well. If convicted of a felony, a student could have a criminal record that would need to be reported on graduate school and job applications. Costly fines, restitution and legal fees can be especially devastating on a student budget. State lawmakers are still considering a new law to bar students from attending state colleges and universities for one year if convicted of rioting.
For more information visit the CU-Boulder Office of Judicial Affairs Web site, , or the Boulder city attorney's Web site, .