Nuisance
Nuisance, in law, an act, practice, or condition that causes annoyance, discomfort, or damage to other persons. A public, or common, nuisance is one that interferes with the exercise or enjoyment of rights common to all people. The term includes acts detrimental to public health, safety, morals, peace, comfort, and convenience. Blocking a street or dumping garbage in a municipal park would be a public nuisance. A private nuisance is one that interferes with another person's use and enjoyment of his or her property, especially land. An example is the creation of unreasonable noise, smoke, or unpleasant odors. A public nuisance may also be a private nuisance, as, for example, when a person is injured in direct consequence of the street's being blocked.
A person may ask a court for an order to end or remove a nuisance. A person may also sue for damages if he or she has suffered a loss. If seriously inconvenienced or endangered, the individual may take reasonable steps to remove or end the nuisance personally, pending court action. A nuisance that is judged extremely injurious to a large group is a criminal offense. The sale of spoiled food is an example of a criminal nuisance.