Reading Room Document
Law Enforcement by Marine Corps at San Onofre Nuclear Generation Plant
The document addresses the legal aspects of the U.S. Marine Corps providing police protection for the San Onofre nuclear power plant. The conclusion reached is that the Marine Corps has the authority to apprehend civilians who violate federal law on the Camp Pendleton reservation and turn them over to civilian authorities for prosecution and trial. The questions presented for review include the enforcement authority of the base commander and the applicability of the Posse Comitatus Act to restrict the use of military police on a military reservation. The document also discusses the jurisdiction of the United States over Camp Pendleton and the legal issues surrounding the responsibility for law enforcement at the San Onofre power plant.
The OLC's Opinions
Opinions published by the OLC, including those released in response to our FOIA lawsuit