What is Martial Law in the US? Martial Law Meaning (2025)

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.

#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).

[RANON]

1:12 this seems like a contradiction... In many places in the Constitution it's implied that the people could and should rise up if the government is corrupt and needs replacing. But then they allow for an exemption to remove habeas corpus?

[TheDowntownHermit-xjrq]

My father was a US history teacher. He told me exactly what martial law entails.

Trust me, That's some serious smoke that no one in their right mind would want.

[ricardo]

POV: you searched this up because of the recent news….

[rickquesada]

Thank you for explaining the concept of Martial Law.

[mrjoker]

This would be violating ALOT of us citizens constitution rights

[bluecobalt]

The second amendment explains exactly how to deal with martial law

[billyrubin]

In other parts of the world where dictators are prevalent, martial laws are common to prevent citizens from revolting, most commonly, against tyranny.

[MelissaSmothers-xm]

Self discipline is necessary part in humanity today

[topdawg]

Ty would like to think I can guess about law bad idea

[JugglesGrenades]

What about Posse Comitatus, I thought military personnel were forbidden from assuming law enforcement powers ?

[deborahzimmerman]

I don't understand this.United states army took a oath to the constitution not to a dictator

[koreaboo]

Yea Its probably going to happen soon scary

[matthewellison]

Habeas corpus means changing of the guards it seems to me.

[tedsrdof]

Why have individuals from 6 JAN been jailed without any ruling? Is it true we are under Martial Law right now?

[Graeberwave]

Some rich ivy league, wanna-be fascist circa 2006-2016 explained this to a mouth drooling billionaire, who said “Hell yea let’s try and do that.”

[robertharrison]

Special high intensity Training
For when shtf

[Altercounter_NowInactive]

You could see what martial law did to the Philippines.

You or your family can get arrested without warrant. Torture. Strict rules.

...Dictatorship? Yes.

[mikestock]

Im prepared for any authority who attempts to trample on my rights.

[ClaudeBorris-eipb]

Is this have something to do with the wef

[annacurransmotherofmeghanc]

✅ Ok I don’t what you were just talking about because a few years ago I was arrested for some misdemeanor charge and because my bail was set unreasonably high(bond=1k) I just don’t have that sitting around in cash so Instead I was stripped of my basic human rights treated way worse than the regular naive person thinks, thrown in a 10x20 holding cell with 15 men that didn’t look like me for 3 days straight(no seats, I slept sitting up on the floor, toilet was a hole in floor next to me for 3 days) after that (due to over crowding) they took me to an area called the whole where I proceeded to spend the next 60 days 24 hours a day in a small cell no window, no nothing, meant for prisoners who get in trouble. Not too mention that I got none of my medication that I’m prescribed to take daily, even after I kept asking to speak with a nurse about my medication. I suffered major side effects from suddenly stopping them which lasted for the whole time I was there. When my court date came the judge dropped two off the three misdemeanor charges and since a misdemeanor is a max 15 days I was let that day. How ridiculous that I was held like that causing me great harm and me to lose my job and since I couldn’t afford my now multiple rent payments I wound up homeless. Now years later I still haven’t been able to get fully back to where I was before all of this.😢