offense against the public peace

A crime that tends to disturb the peace. • The common-law offenses of this type were riot, unlawful assembly, dueling, rout, affray, forcible entry and detainer, and libel on a private person. [Cases: Breach of the Peace 1–14. C.J.S. Breach of the Peace §§ 2–13; Domestic Abuse and Violence§§ 3, 6.]