What is Martial Law in the US? Martial Law Meaning (2022)

What is Martial Law in the US? What does "Martial Law" mean? In this video, you'll learn exactly what martial law means in the United States.

First, I'll explain what the term martial law means in plain English. When martial law is declared in the U.S., it typically means that the U.S. military has taken control of a particular region in place of the normal civilian government.

The region where martial law is declared may be an area as small as a city. Martial law may be declared across an entire state. Martial law may cover an entire region of the United States, such as the Southwestern states. The president may even declare martial law across the entire United States.

Next, we'll discuss the different types of situations in which martial law may be declared in the U.S.

After that, we'll look at the legal basis for declaring martial law in the United States. The U.S. Constitution doesn’t explicitly mention martial law. But it does mention suspending "habeas corpus" in Article 1, Section 9. A president's suspension of the "writ of habeas corpus" is essentially the same thing as declaring martial law in the U.S.

So what exactly is a writ of habeas corpus? “Habeas corpus” is a latin word that literally means “produce the body.” A “writ” simply means a written document from a judge ordering someone to do something. Accordingly, a “writ of habeas corpus” is a written order from the judge to the jailer (or prison warden) instructing the jailer to bring their prisoner into court and explain why the prisoner is being detained. If the jailer cannot give the judge a legally valid reason for locking the prisoner up, the judge will order the prisoner's immediate release.

In many countries, police and military personnel may arrest people and lock them up for months or even years without charging them with a crime. Prisoners in countries that do this have no way to challenge their imprisonment. In the U.S., however, we don’t have to worry about that situation because of habeas corpus. That is, of course, unless the writ of habeas corpus is suspended and martial law is declared. Under martial law, citizens typically lose their right to appear before a neutral judge and challenge their confinement. The military can lock someone up for any reason they see fit until order is restored and martial law is lifted.

Next, we'll examine what life might be like for Americans living under martial law.

Finally, we'll explore some of the practical consequences of declaring martial law in the United States.

By the end of this video, you'll know exactly what martial law means in the U.S.

SUBSCRIBE to this Channel so that you don’t miss any of my stimulus updates!    / @legalpadlaw  

Check out the Wagoner Law Firm’s website: https://wagonerlawfirmpllc.com/

#MartialLaw #MartialLawDefinition #MartialLawMeaning

NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER: The information in this video and on this channel is not legal advice or any other form of professional advice. This information is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of it does not create, an attorney-client relationship. Nothing in this video or on this channel should be taken as legal advice or any other form of professional advice for any individual claim, case, or situation. You should seek advice from an attorney or other professional regarding your specific situation. Contacting the Wagoner Law Firm does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor does your receipt of an initial case evaluation. The only way to create an attorney-client relationship with the Wagoner Law Firm is through a mutual written agreement, which you will be asked to sign. Please do not send any confidential information to the Wagoner Law Firm until an attorney-client relationship has been established. This description contains affiliate links, meaning that I will earn a financial benefit if you click through and use an affiliate link (at no additional cost to you).