[JR]

Originally Posted by PornoDoggy

Okay ... it's Martial Law, and while not specifically defined in any legislation that I'm aware of, has been exercised in U.S. cities when required by riots. I know that the actual phrase was used in reference to riots in Detroit when I was a teenager, where U.S. Army troops had to be called in.

Posse Comitatus laws stem from the post civil war era, when Federal troops were used to enforce United States law and/or protect certain citizens because local law enforcement was unwilling or unable to do so.

The National Guard is called in for any kind of civil emergency (riots, floods, tornados - I even know of one instance where they were called out for snow removal). They can enforce law and order, but they cannot engage in law enforcement. Violating one of their orders is still a civil, not military, offense, and they do not investigate crimes committed.

my understanding was that states could declare martial law in thier own state. no? its just not done on a federal level with federal troops enforcing it. just curious and too lazy to google it.