Affray
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
criminal law, is the fighting of two or more persons in some public place to the terror of the people. 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. It differs from a riot in not being premeditated; for if any persons meet together upon any lawful or mnocent occasion, and happen on a sudden to engage in fighting, they are not guilty of a riot but an affray only; and in that case none are guilty except those actually engaged in it. Hawk. b.
1, c. 65, s. 3; 4 Bl. Com. 146; 1 Russell, 271.