What defines a "breach of peace"?

A "breach of peace" is primarily characterized by a significant disruption of public tranquility. This concept refers to actions that interfere with the public's ability to enjoy peace and order in a community setting. It encompasses situations like fights, loud disturbances, or other behaviors that attract public attention and create unrest.

In contrast, a minor disturbance in a private residence may not affect the broader community and therefore does not necessarily qualify as a breach of peace. Similarly, local ordinance violations, while they can be problematic, do not inherently disrupt public tranquility at the level required to be considered a breach of peace. Technical violations of traffic laws may be illegal, but they typically do not involve public disturbance and thus do not fit the definition either. The focus of a breach of peace lies in the impact on the community's overall sense of safety and order.