Skip to main content
Find a Lawyer

District of Columbia Code Division I. Government of District. § 5-331.11. Use of handcuffs, plastic cuffs, or other physical restraints on persons arrested in connection with a First Amendment assembly.

Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) The MPD shall adhere to the standard set forth in subsection (b) of this section in using handcuffs, plastic cuffs, or other physical restraints on any person arrested in connection with a First Amendment assembly who is being held in custody in the following circumstances:

(1) The arrestee is being held in a police processing center:

(A) To determine whether the arrestee should be released or the method for release;

(B) To determine whether the arrestee should be presented to court; or

(C) Pending presentation to court;

(2) The arrestee is being held in an unsecured processing center, and is not being held in a cell; or

(3) The arrestee is charged solely with one or more misdemeanor offenses, none of which have, as one of their elements, the commission of a violent act toward another person or a threat to commit such an act, or the destruction of property, or a threat to destroy property.

(b) With regard to any person who is being held in custody by the MPD in the circumstances identified in subsection (a) of this section, the MPD shall use handcuffs, plastic cuffs, or other physical restraints only to the extent reasonably necessary, and in a manner reasonably necessary, for the safety of officers and arrestees; provided, that no such person shall be restrained by connecting his or her wrist to his or her ankle, and no such person shall be restrained in any other manner that forces the person to remain in a physically painful position.

(c) Nothing in this section is intended to restrict the otherwise lawful authority of the MPD to use handcuffs, plastic cuffs, or other physical restraints on persons arrested in connection with a First Amendment assembly at the time of or immediately following arrest, while arrestees are being transported to a processing center, or while arrestees are being transported to or from court.

Previous Part of Code Next Part of Code
Back to Chapter List

Cite this article: FindLaw.com - District of Columbia Code Division I. Government of District. § 5-331.11. Use of handcuffs, plastic cuffs, or other physical restraints on persons arrested in connection with a First Amendment assembly. - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/dc/division-i-government-of-district/dc-code-sect-5-331-11/

FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.

Was this helpful?

Welcome to FindLaw's Cases & Codes

A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.

Go to Learn About the Law

Latest Blog Posts

For Legal Professionals

Learn About The Law

Get help with your legal needs

FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.

Go to Learn About the Law

Need to Find an Attorney?

Search our directory by legal issue

Enter information in one or both fields (Required)

Copied to clipboard