| 释义 |
keep the peace
To behave in such a way as not to cause or threaten a breach of the peace, i.e. a disturbance of public order. Magistrates’ courts have very wide powers to bind over people to keep the peace or to make them enter into recognizances (either personally or through a surety) to pay a sum of money into court if they fail to keep the peace. The order may be made against a defendant on a criminal charge or merely upon complaint by a member of the public (if there is some evidence that a breach of the peace may occur). A person may be bound over for any sum of money or any period of time; if he refuses to be bound over or to enter into the recognizance, he may be sentenced immediately to imprisonment (even if he has committed no criminal offence). See also good behaviour. |