Appeals court upholds Jan. 6 trespassing misdemeanor faced by scores of rioters

A federal appeals court on Tuesday upheld a Jan. 6 rioter's misdemeanor trespassing conviction in connection with the 2021 Capitol attack.

Couy Griffin, a founder of “Cowboys for Trump" and former New Mexico county commissioner, challenged his 2022 conviction for entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds.

A decision in favor of Griffin could have upended the cases against hundreds of fellow rioters facing the same charge.

The law bars "knowingly" entering a restricted zone, described as areas "posted, cordoned off or otherwise restricted," and later defines "otherwise restricted" as an area where Secret Service protectees will be visiting.

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