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Breach of Peace

Also known as a public disturbance, breach of peace is a term that encompasses a wide range of behavior, with the only criteria being that it serious endangers or disturbs public peace and order. It is generally subcategorized as a form of disorderly conduct.

Common Forms

Virtually anything that threatens the public or even one person can lead to this sort of charge. Typical examples of actions that constitute a breach of peace include:

While the actions listed above are fairly specific, in most states, breaches of peace are governed by broad statues. This means that even something as vague as inconveniencing or annoying someone, alarming another person, or recklessly creating a situation of risk can be called breaches of peace.

Punishment

The range of punishments for breaches of peace is just as wide as the scope of the charge itself. Many smaller infractions are considered misdemeanors, but fines and jail time are not uncommon in breach of peace cases. Below is a short list of some punishments for public disturbances:

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