Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 750 / Act 328 of 1931
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 750.527 (2026)

Riots and unlawful assemblies; death ensuing from efforts to disperse.

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THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE


Act 328 of 1931


750.527 Riots and unlawful assemblies; death ensuing from efforts to disperse.

Sec. 527.

    Death ensuing from efforts to disperse unlawful assemblies or riots—If, by reason of any of the efforts made by any 2 or more of the said magistrates or officers, or by their direction, to disperse such unlawful, riotous or tumultuous assembly, or to seize and secure the persons composing the same, who have refused to disperse though the number remaining may be less than 12, any such person, or any other person there present as spectators or otherwise, shall be killed or wounded, the said magistrates and officers and all persons assisting by their order, or under their direction, shall be held guiltless and fully justified in law; and if any of the said magistrates or officers, or any person acting by their order, or under their direction, shall be killed or wounded, all the persons so unlawfully, riotously or tumultuously assembled, and all other persons who, when commanded or required, shall have refused to aid or assist the said magistrates or officers, shall be held answerable therefor.

History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.527

FormerLaw Notes:

    See section 7 of Ch. 157 of R.S. 1846, being CL 1857, § 5853; CL 1871, § 7687; How., § 9270; CL 1897, § 11340; CL 1915, § 15007; and CL 1929, § 16604.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1982–2023 · leading case: People v. Shafou, 330 N.W.2d 647 (Mich. 1982).
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People v. Shafou, 330 N.W.2d 647 (Mich. 1982). · cites it 2× “MCL 750.527; MSA 28.795. 14 "Sec. 1. It is unlawful and constitutes the crime of riot for 5 or more persons, acting in concert, to wrongfully engage in violent *130 conduct and thereby intentionally or recklessly cause or create a serious risk of causing public terror or alarm.”
People of Michigan v. Daniel Joseph Debono, 11 N.W.3d 546 (Mich. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 28× “The circuit court correctly concluded that MCL 750.527, commonly referred to as the “riot act,” provides a legal defense at trial instead of immunity.”
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