A public disturbance by three or more people involving acts of violence that cause immediate danger, damage, or injury to others or their property. civil forfeiture See forfeiture. n. civil law 1 A legal system derived from Roman law and based on fixed rules and statutes rather than on a court's interpretation of broad principles. Prominent in continental Europe, Latin America, Scotland, Quebec, and Louisiana. See also common law and natural law. 2 The law pertaining to civil or private right...