# Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-206: Failure to disperse

> Arkansas · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-206

## Section

- **Citation:** Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-206
- **Heading:** Failure to disperse
- **Jurisdiction:** Arkansas
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** AR Code / Title 5 / Chapter 71 / Subchapter 2 / Section 5-71-206

## Text

(a) A person commits the offense of failure to disperse if, during a riot or an unlawful assembly, he or she refuses or knowingly fails to disperse when ordered to disperse by a law enforcement officer or other person engaged in enforcing or executing the law. (b) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the actor was a news reporter or other person observing or recording the events on behalf of the news media not knowingly obstructing efforts by a law enforcement officer or other person engaged in enforcing or executing the law to control or abate the riot or unlawful assembly. (c) Failure to disperse is a Class C misdemeanor. Acts 1975, No. 280, § 2907; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-2907.

(a) A person commits the offense of failure to disperse if, during a riot or an unlawful assembly, he or she refuses or knowingly fails to disperse when ordered to disperse by a law enforcement officer or other person engaged in enforcing or executing the law.

(b) It is a defense to a prosecution under this section that the actor was a news reporter or other person observing or recording the events on behalf of the news media not knowingly obstructing efforts by a law enforcement officer or other person engaged in enforcing or executing the law to control or abate the riot or unlawful assembly.

(c) Failure to disperse is a Class C misdemeanor.

Acts 1975, No. 280, § 2907; A.S.A. 1947, § 41-2907.

## Nearby sections

- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-201 Riot](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-201.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-202 Aggravated riot](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-202.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-203 Inciting riot](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-203.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-204 Arming rioters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-204.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-205 Unlawful assembly](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-205.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-206 Failure to disperse](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-206.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-207 Disorderly conduct](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-207.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-208 Harassment](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-208.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-209 Harassing communications](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-209.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-210 Communicating a false alarm](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-210.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-211 Threatening a fire or bombing](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-211.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-212 Public intoxication - Drinking in public](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-212.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-213 Loitering](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-213.md)
- [Ark. Code Ann. § 5-71-214 Obstructing a highway or other public passage](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-214.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_AR_T5_C71_S2_S5-71-206. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.