[HPforGrownups] Re: Guardianship, agreements, and public protection

[Janette]

No: HPFGUIDX 158464



> Debbie:
> Yup, that dubious backstory about how Sirius had tired of his double-agent
> role was undoubtedly embellishment invented by Fudge.  However, there was
> every reason to arrest Sirius.  My understanding of English law (which is
> highly suspect as it is largely based on the press) is that a person can
> be
> detained for a period of time without being charged.  And when Sirius was
> arrested, he was presiding over a crater in a Muggle street, laughing like
> a
> maniac, with 14 dead muggles and Pettigrew's finger in front of him.
>


In the UK, under the muggle anti-terrorism laws, a British suspect can be
detained without trial by the police for a specified period - I believe this
was increased from 14 to 28 days after 9/11 - but habeus corpus still
stands, and at the end of the specified time they must be charged or
released, and if charged will stand trial.

But the WW, of course, has its own laws...  Does it also have a police
force?  I mean, not just to arrest (aurors?) but also to detain and
question, before sending criminals to Azkaban.  Actually, I suppose the MoM
investigates all wizarding crime and infractions, so I have answered my own
question - they are a kind of (benevolent?) government entity like the KGB.

montims