Posse comitatus
Summary
“Power of the county”; the entire able-bodied male population of a county above the age of fifteen, which a sheriff may summon to assist in keeping the peace, in pursuing and arresting felons, etc. An individual’s refusal when so lawfully called to assist is an indictable offense. An 1845 Illinois justice of the peace manual indicated that a constable could “take of the county any number that he shall think proper, to pursue, arrest, and imprison” accused offenders.
Links
papers
- Appendix 3: Willard Richards, Journal Excerpt, 23–27 June 1844
- History, 1838–1856, volume E-1 [1 July 1843–30 April 1844]
- Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS and H. Smith for Treason
- Introduction to State of Illinois v. JS et al. for Riot–A, State of Illinois v. JS for Riot on Habeas Corpus, State of Illinois v. H. Smith et al. on Habeas Corpus, and State of Illinois v. JS et al. for Riot–B