Martial law is the system of rules that takes effect when the military takes control of the normal administration of justice.

Usually martial law reduces some of the personal rights ordinarily granted to the citizen, limits the length of the trial processes, and prescribes more severe penalties than ordinary law.

In many states martial law prescribes the death penalty for certain crimes, even if ordinary law does not contain that crime or punishment in its system.

Originally martial law was imposed during wars or occupations to let the government control population more effectively in spite of heightened unrest.

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Nowadays it is most commonly used by authoritarian governments to enforce their rule, for example after coup d'état (Thailand 2006), when threatened by popular protests (PRC 1989), or to crack down on the opposition (Poland 1981).

Martial law can also be declared in cases of major natural disasters, however most countries use a different legal construct like "state of emergency".

In many countries martial law imposes particular rules, one of which is curfew.

Often, under this system, the administration of justice is left to a military tribunal, called a court-martial.

The suspension of the writ of habeas corpus is likely to occur.

[link to en.wikipedia.org]