What is the primary purpose of affray in legal terms?

Affray is primarily concerned with addressing violent conduct. It refers to a situation where a person uses or threatens to use unlawful violence, which causes another person to fear for their safety. The essence of affray lies in the public disturbance caused by such violent acts, as it disrupts social order and poses a threat to public peace.

This offense not only targets the individual involved in the violent conduct but also seeks to protect the broader community from the fear and chaos that can arise from such dangerous interactions. The legal framework surrounding affray emphasizes the need for laws that maintain public order and safeguard citizens from aggressive behaviors that could lead to physical harm.

The other choices do not capture the primary focus of affray effectively; while deterrence of burglary and definition of property crimes are significant in criminal law, they do not directly relate to violent conduct. Outlining defenses in law is also crucial but serves a different legal purpose, concentrating more on individual rights and legal protections rather than specifically addressing the nature of violent behavior inherent in affray.