What does martial law mean?

[Noah]

[chadtm80]

Martial law
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect (usually after a formal declaration) when a military authority takes control of the normal administration of justice (and usually of the whole state).

Martial law is instituted most often when it becomes necessary to favor the activity of military authorities and organizations, usually for urgent unforeseen needs, and when the normal institutions of justice either cannot function or could be deemed too slow or too weak for the new situation, i.e., due to war, major natural disaster or civil disorder, in occupied territory, or after a coup d'état. The need to preserve the public order during an emergency is the essential goal of martial law. However, declaration of martial law is also sometimes used by dictatorships, especially military dictatorships, to enforce their rule.

Usually martial law reduces some of the personal rights ordinarily granted to the citizen, limits the length of the trial processes, and prescribes more severe penalties than ordinary law. In many countries martial law prescribes the death penalty for certain crimes, even if ordinary law doesn't contain that crime or punishment in its system.

In many countries martial law imposes particular rules, one of which is curfew. Often, under this system, the administration of justice is left to military tribunals, called courts-martial. The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is likely to occur

[gtalum]

It means the military becomes the law. They make and enforce the rules.

[GalvestonDuck]

I have to wonder though - how do they communicate this to the rest of the people of NOLA? No phones. No power, so no TV or internet. No newspapers. And, unless they were prepared, no radio.

[artist]

hearn they were using horns to get messages out.

[Jevo]

I have to wonder though - how do they communicate this to the rest of the people of NOLA? No phones. No power, so no TV or internet. No newspapers. And, unless they were prepared, no radio.

When the military takes control of the law from municipal authorities you know it.... I remember from Hurricane Andrew and Martial Law was declared......

Its very distinctive from the soldiers on the corners with M16s, to the constant sound of blackhawn helios overhead and the nonstop rolling of hummers down the road with a soldier manning the .50 caliber machine gun..

The make their presence very know... Also during martial law you no longer have your miranda rights and limited civil rights.. Which is why it requires a declaration from judicial and gov't entities

[Aslkahuna]

Actually, only the President can send regular troops into a US City to impose Matial Law. For Guard troops it's the Governor of the State.

Steve

[GalvestonDuck]

I have to wonder though - how do they communicate this to the rest of the people of NOLA? No phones. No power, so no TV or internet. No newspapers. And, unless they were prepared, no radio.

When the military takes control of the law from municipal authorities you know it.... I remember from Hurricane Andrew and Martial Law was declared......

Its very distinctive from the soldiers on the corners with M16s, to the constant sound of blackhawn helios overhead and the nonstop rolling of hummers down the road with a soldier manning the .50 caliber machine gun..

The make their presence very know... Also during martial law you no longer have your miranda rights and limited civil rights.. Which is why it requires a declaration from judicial and gov't entities

Understood. But how do they make sure NOLA people UNDERSTAND what it means also? Not everyone understands the concept. Are they gonig to get that their civil rights are now limited and why?

[Talon402]

The stern voices blaring from the Humvees/Patrol Boats will educate them, I think. Provided they speak english.

[Jevo]

I have to wonder though - how do they communicate this to the rest of the people of NOLA? No phones. No power, so no TV or internet. No newspapers. And, unless they were prepared, no radio.

When the military takes control of the law from municipal authorities you know it.... I remember from Hurricane Andrew and Martial Law was declared......

Its very distinctive from the soldiers on the corners with M16s, to the constant sound of blackhawn helios overhead and the nonstop rolling of hummers down the road with a soldier manning the .50 caliber machine gun..

The make their presence very know... Also during martial law you no longer have your miranda rights and limited civil rights.. Which is why it requires a declaration from judicial and gov't entities

Understood. But how do they make sure NOLA people UNDERSTAND what it means also? Not everyone understands the concept. Are they gonig to get that their civil rights are now limited and why?

From my understanding there are helicopters already equiped with loudspeakers in and around the parishes and downtown. Relaying curfew and other information.... Obviously if youre stuck on the roof of your house Id assume the curfew would not apply though

[cyclone_eye]

Think of "Marshall" law from the wild wild west

[jhamps10]

The only way to get a message out right now, is through blowhorns, and if they have a battery operated radio tuned to WWL 870AM.