In the Ex parte Milligan case, the U.S. Supreme Court stated that

A) Milligan should be hanged for writing pro-Confederate editorials during the Civil War.
B) secession was unconstitutional.
C) accused persons must be tried before civil courts where there were open, rather than military, tribunals.
D) a president could order the jailing of civilians for any reason whatsoever during wartime.
E) Congress, not the president, has the power to suspend the writ of habeas corpus.

Ex Parte Milligan

1866 Supreme Court case that declared it unconstitutional to bring accused persons before military tribunals where civil courts were operating.

Military Tribunals

Special courts designed to try members of the armed forces or enemy combatants, often distinguished from civilian courts for their focus on military law and discipline.

Civil Courts

Courts responsible for resolving non-criminal disputes, including cases involving contracts, property, and family law among others.