affray legal definition
An affray is a type of Disorderly Conduct and a breach of the peace since it is conduct that disturbs the peace of the community. It is punishable by a fine, imprisonment, or both. Public Order Offences incorporating the Charging Standard. Introduction. The criminal law in respect of public order offences is intended to penalise the use of violence and/or intimidation by individuals or groups. The principal public order offences are contained in Part I of the Public Order Act 1986 ('the Act'). Isabella Orsini Francesco Domenico Guerrazzi. This was by no means a terrifying conclusion to men inured to affray. Laramie Holds the Range Frank H. Spearman. Nothing was done, and probably there would not have been any thing done, had I been killed in the affray. My Bondage and My Freedom Frederick Douglass. A white man and a colored woman were indicted for an affray. The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919 Various. I have never been at one; and the name suggests nothing but an affray with bayonets. Refer to Stalking and Harassment, elsewhere in the Legal Guidance. By virtue of section 4(2), section 4A can occur in a public and private place but not a dwelling. The definition of 'dwelling' is contained in section 8 of the Act . General Principle: Public Order Offences. The purpose of public order law is to ensure that individual rights to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are balanced against the rights of others to go about their daily lives unhindered. An offence under section 3 is triable either way. The maximum penalty on conviction on indictment is 3 years' imprisonment and/or a fine of unlimited amount. On summary conviction the maximum penalty is 6 months' imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding level 5. The offense originated under the Common Law and in some jurisdictions has become a statutory crime. Although an agreement to fight is not an element of the crime under the common-law definition, some statutes provide that an affray can occur only when two or more persons agree to fight in a public place. An affray is defined at common law as a fight between two or more persons in a public place so as to cause terror to the public.... 'Affray' is derived from the French word effrayer, meaning to affright. (T)he offense may be committed in two distinct types of locales that qualify as public places. Mere words are sufficient, and the offence maybe committed in public or private with no other person actually being about. AFFRAY, criminal law. The fighting of two or more persons, in some public place, to the terror of the people. 2. To constitute this offence there must be, 1st, a fighting; 2d, the fighting must be between two or more persons; 3d, it must be in some public place ; 4th, it must be to the terror of the people. 3. Affray Definition: A fight between two or more persons in a public place so as to cause terror to the public. A common law criminal offence comprised of the public fighting of two or more persons to the terror of the public. The offence required the coming to blows and the sentence often varied depending on the venue. An affray which occurred in Court or on church grounds would be severely punished.
A fight between two or more persons in a public place so as to cause terror to the public.