breach of the peace

Breach of the peace is a generic phrase to describe a criminal offense that violates the public peace or order. Since numerous criminal offenses can be perceived as a violation of the public peace, this phrase is usually used to describe the offense of disorderly conduct . Due to the broad interpretation of the phrase, certain states have enacted statutes providing for a “breach of the peace” offense.

For example:

• In Nebraska , a person intentionally disturbing the peace and quiet of the community is guilty of a Class III misdemeanor .
• In Wyoming , a person breaches the peace if he or she plays unreasonably loud music, uses threatening language or violent actions, with the reasonable knowledge that such actions will disturb the peace.
• Under the Vermont Statutes , a person breaches the peace if he or she makes excessive noise between sunset and sunrise, assaults another person, uses telephonic communication to harass another person, etc.

[Last reviewed in June of 2021 by the Wex Definitions Team ]

Wex

• THE LEGAL PROCESS
• criminal law
• wex definitions