Legal Definitions - rout

A rout is a specific legal offense that occurs when a group of people, who have gathered unlawfully, begin to take concrete steps towards carrying out an illegal plan. It represents an intermediate stage of public disturbance, positioned between an "unlawful assembly" (where people merely gather with an unlawful intent) and a "riot" (where the unlawful plan is actively executed, often involving violence or significant disorder).

For a rout to occur, there must typically be three or more individuals who, having formed an unlawful assembly, start to move or act in a way that clearly indicates their intention to achieve their unlawful objective, but before they fully accomplish it. Essentially, it's the act of an unlawful assembly making a move towards its common unlawful purpose.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of a rout:

• Example 1: Disrupting a Public Event

  A group of individuals, numbering around ten, gathers outside a convention center where a controversial speaker is scheduled to appear. Initially, they are merely holding signs and chanting slogans (which, depending on intent, could be an unlawful assembly). However, they then collectively begin to push against the barricades set up by security, attempting to force their way into the building to confront the speaker and disrupt the event.

  Explanation: This scenario constitutes a rout because the group has moved beyond simply assembling and expressing their intent. By actively pushing against the barricades and attempting to gain unauthorized entry, they are taking concrete steps towards executing their unlawful design (e.g., trespassing, disorderly conduct, or disrupting a lawful assembly), but have not yet succeeded in entering or causing significant damage that would escalate it to a riot.

• Example 2: Impeding Traffic

  During a protest march, a smaller faction of about five people breaks off from the main group. They gather at a busy intersection, initially just standing on the sidewalk. After a brief discussion, they collectively decide to block traffic. They then begin to walk into the intersection, positioning themselves to obstruct vehicles and prevent cars from passing through.

  Explanation: This is a rout because the individuals have transitioned from merely gathering (which could be an unlawful assembly if their intent was already to block traffic) to actively moving towards and preparing to execute their unlawful design of obstructing public roadways. Their collective movement into the intersection to block traffic signifies a concrete step towards their illegal objective, even if they haven't yet fully brought traffic to a standstill or engaged in any violence.

• Example 3: Approaching Private Property with Intent to Damage

  Late at night, a group of six individuals gathers near a construction site, expressing anger about a new development. They are heard discussing plans to disable some of the heavy machinery. Following this discussion, they collectively begin to walk across the property towards a parked bulldozer, carrying tools like wrenches and bolt cutters, clearly intending to tamper with the equipment.

  Explanation: This scenario illustrates a rout because the group has progressed from merely discussing an illegal act (which, combined with their gathering, could be an unlawful assembly) to actively moving towards and preparing to execute it. Their collective approach to the machinery with tools in hand demonstrates a clear step towards their unlawful design of vandalism or sabotage, but before they have actually begun to damage or disable anything, which would elevate it to a riot.