Legal Term: DECORUM

Definition: Proper behaviour, good order. 2. Decorum is requisite in public places, in order to permit all persons to enjoy their rights, for example, decorum is indispensable in church, to enable those assembled, to worship. If, therefore, a person were to disturb the congregation, it would be lawful to put him out. The same might be done in case of a funeral. 1 Mod. 168, 1 Lev. 196 2 Kebl. 124. But a request to desist should be first made, unless, indeed," when the necessity of the case would render such precaution impossible. In using force to restore order and decorum, care must be taken to use no more than is necessary, for any excess will render the party using it guilty of an assault and battery. Vide Battery.

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