Legal Question in Civil Rights Law in Washington

Arrest in a church

''Todd'' was having a peaceful debate in his church with his elders. Elders got mad and told him to leave. He refused. Elders called police who told Todd to leave. He refused. Policeman arrested Todd.

Do the police have the right to interfere in an internal ecclesiastical matter like that?


Asked on 12/30/05, 11:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: Arrest in a church

The concept of canon law controlling on criminal acts (or for that matter civil wrongs) is very limited in the United States. A crime committed on church property is subject to the criminal law. The alleged facts would be Todd's representation, but I am sure that the Elders had a different interpretation and told a different story of Todd's acts. Police need probable cause to believe that a crime was committed in order to make an arrest.

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Answered on 12/31/05, 12:00 am


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