There used to be rulings made that someone could not be forcibly removed from a church or holy building, or be killed on sanctified ground, even where they were being arrested.
Does this rule still exist? Could I use it as a legitamate means of escaping arrest?
2006-09-22 10:41:12 · 37 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
I HAVEN'T ACTUALLY COMMITTED ANY CRIMES!!!! I did Law, and just wondered if it was a real law.
Mind you, if I was going to commit a crime, I would probably want this rule to be real...!
2006-09-26 08:42:02 · update #1
Sanctuary dates back to at least 600, but was enshrined in law in the middle ages. A criminal who had taken refuge in a church could not be removed. After 40 days he would be allowed to take an oath not to return without the king's leave,before proceeding to a port. If he refused he would be forcibly extricated for justice. After the Reformation Henry VIII limited the privilege of sanctuary to seven cities. Criminal sanctuary was abolished by James I in 1623, and it finally ended for civil processes in 1723.
2006-09-22 10:53:19 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
I aggree with the guy who calls himself the house of the blue shield. Laws were always meant to be broken. Most people do not need a law. If someone wishes to do somthing bad, they are going to do it whether there is a law or not. Laws are limiting to the lawful in some ways. The church, for example is the biggest form of lawlesness and bigotry, and one day I hope the battle troopers storm the church, rip the roof off they so need millions for, yet own shopping precincts and more land in Britain than farmers. No there is no such thing as sancturary, not even in your own home, these days. The world has gone mad.
2006-09-26 13:47:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The police would take into consideration the sanctity of the church, but one way or the other you'll come out. Meaning they may not start lobbing flash bangs at the alter but even He won't be able to stop them from coming in and getting you. By the way, committing a crime then hiding behind the shield of a church really pisses cops off. If you truly believed in your religion you would not have committed the crime in the first place.
2006-09-22 14:31:29 · answer #3 · answered by Mike 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This rule still exists but in so far as you are really seeking sanctuary from what the church sees as oppresion. For example if you are seeking assylum in this country and the home office orders you to leave, If the church feels that your case has not been heard properly they may offer to house you in the church to stop forcible repatriation. However if you commit a crime and you hide in the church, the vicar will be the first to turn you in.
2006-09-22 10:59:09 · answer #4 · answered by olayinka o 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hehehe - if it still did exist, our churches would be totally PACKED out with fugitives - one way of increasing the church attendance figures I guess!
Seriously, I am not aware that this ruling/law/whatever still exists although I believe you could claim sanctuary in a church many years ago.
I would hope that any law enforcement agencies would use respect in extricatating said fugitive from such a place.
2006-09-22 23:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by Sally J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sanctuary in a church no longer applies in English law. However, a member of parliament [MP] can stay in the House of Commons from where he/she cannot be arrested.
2006-09-26 02:11:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, they have allowed this one immigrant to be safe up to some point, but that is more because it was not a "crime" but a immigration issue and it was not the police with a warrant.
While they try to respect and not arrest someone during church service, no there are no such laws ( and not sure there ever was in the US)
2006-09-22 13:35:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
this law was repealed some 200 years ago the most notorious was westminster abbey the whole area was full of thieves pickpockets and rogues when chased by the authorities they would claim sanctuory in the church and could not be arrested.you cannot do this today as police can enter any building in persuit
2006-09-22 10:55:39 · answer #8 · answered by paul t 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, it's not against the law to arrest on church grounds anymore. The only way to escape arrest is to get to a country that doesn't have an extradition treaty with the country trying to arrest you.
2006-09-22 10:51:33 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
The ONLY legal means for avoiding arrest is 'having Diplomatic immunity.'
Only, if you have, say, upset your Boss, the Embassador, then s/he can actually waver your inmmunity, have you removed from the Embassy List, and ...then 'you're for it.'
Oh, the Church's 'Sanctuary' law and the 'Get out of Jail FREE' card from the Monopoly set, it is no longer valid. Sorry.
Sash.
2006-09-24 06:24:02 · answer #10 · answered by sashtou 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋