Article 124. Arbitrary Detention. — Any public officer or employee who, without legal grounds, detains a person, shall suffer:

1. The penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prisión correccional in its minimum period, if the detention has not exceeded three days;

2. The penalty of prisión correccional in its medium and maximum periods, if the detention has continued more than three but not more than fifteen days;

3. The penalty of prisión mayor, if the detention has continued for more than fifteen days but not more than six months; and

4. That of reclusión temporal, if the detention shall have exceeded six months.

The commission of a crime, or violent insanity or any other ailment requiring the compulsory confinement of the patient in a hospital, shall be considered legal grounds for the detention of any person.