Martial law is the substitution of military rule for civilian government and the suspension of civilian legal processes for military powers.[1] Martial law can continue for a specified amount of time, or indefinitely, and standard civil liberties may be suspended for as long as martial law continues.[2][1] Most often, martial law is declared in times of war and/or emergencies such as civil unrest and natural disasters.[3] Alternatively, martial law may be declared in instances of military coup d'états.[4]