What is characterized by military law over civilians in times of emergency?

Martial law is a system of governance where military authorities assume control over normal civilian functions and civil authority, especially during times of emergency, such as war or natural disasters. It typically involves the replacement of civil law by military law, granting military personnel the power to enforce law and order, often including curfews, the suspension of civil liberties, and military trials for civilians.

This measure is employed in situations where the regular law enforcement and judicial frameworks are deemed insufficient to ensure public safety or maintain order. The imposition of martial law usually follows the declaration of a state of emergency and can lead to significant changes in the way a society is governed for the duration of the emergency.

The other choices present variations or concepts related to martial law but do not represent the general definition as clearly as martial law itself. For example, absolute martial law may imply no limitation on military power, while qualified martial law suggests some constraints on military authority. The Posse Comitatus Act specifically limits the powers of the federal government in using the military for law enforcement, which contrasts with the idea of martial law being a deployment of military power. Therefore, the clear characterization of military law over civilians during emergencies aligns correctly with martial law.