The Osronan Republic Legal Code
Quote:In the final months of 1748 AC, the government of the Osronan Republic finally announces their reformation of the former Crown Law of Osrona. The new legal code makes several changes, including the inclusion of standard punishments for every crime, modifiers that replace the 'Optional' charges, and the addition of the 'Physical' punishment, demonstrating the Republic's tough stance on serious crime going forwards.
The following is a listing of noteworthy laws within the Osronan Republic. These laws are to be considered the standard, and upheld from the Vigilant Watch. These laws are written with the spirit to uphold Justice and to ensure the peace for the citizenry of Osrona, and thus are expected to be followed not only as written, but also in the spirit of how they should be interpreted. The Vigilant Watch can, as one would expect, interpret the law or choose to uphold them on a case by case basis.
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Modifiers
The following charges are ‘modifiers’, and can be tacked on should it be deemed fit. These modifiers either increase or reduce the severity of the punishment for the crime being given.
Resisting Arrest - To attempt, through violence of otherwise, to avoid sentencing. This adds an additional 1000 coin fine, and two fifths of a year mandatory imprisonment.
Aiding and Abetting - Assisting another in a crime, directly or indirectly, or otherwise encouraging someone to commit a crime. If this crime has been done with severe consequence, a guilty party can be required to serve the same amount of time as the original offender. Someone guilty of this crime is sentenced to the same punishment.
Peaceful Surrender - To hand oneself in to the correct authorities for trial and sentencing. Someone who does this faces only three quarters of the punishment for their crime, and waives a Physical punishment so long as they are determined to be acting out of genuine remorse and not simply to escape punishment. This does not apply for crimes deemed Capital.
Recidivism - To have been previously convicted of a greater or equal crime. If the crime has a greater equivalent -See Petty Theft/Theft/Grand Theft, the crime becomes equivalent to the bigger offense. Otherwise, the punishment is doubled, or may have a Physical punishment added to it.
Age - Sometimes, in their youth, children will commit crimes without truly understanding the consequences of their actions. In the case of crimes that carry a penalty of Physical punishment or Execution, an offender younger than sixteen will instead be remanded into custody for rehabilitation. When they reach the age of sixteen, their conduct during their imprisonment will be reviewed. If deemed satisfactory, they will be released. If deemed unsatisfactory, they will face the punishment. The Recidivism modifier, if applied, cancels this one.
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Punishments
Fine - A monetary penalty is paid to the city. Fines are set on a multiplying scale starting at 500. Fines must be paid in full on the spot. In lieu of a fine (for reasons such as inability to pay), one may instead request imprisonment, the fine being reduced by 500 coins per day imprisoned.
Restorative Duties - A form of punishment that may be requested by any who has committed a minor crime. In lieu of fines or imprisonment, an individual may instead serve their sentence under the supervision of the Church performing good deeds. If the church rejects this, a member of the Vigilant Watch may take it on instead.
Rehabilitation - Offenders are given the means and supervision to consider and atone for their actions in a way deemed appropriate by the authorities. During this time, they are imprisoned. There is no set time for this punishment, but a point is likely to be set for the offender’s case to be reevaluated. This form of punishment is offered in good faith; the offender may reject it, or be deemed unfit for it.
Imprisonment - The offender is incarcerated in prison for a set amount of time. For purposes of the Legal Code, 1=1 OOC day, 2=2 OOC days, etc.
Physical - The offender faces a physical penalty, such as the removal of a hand or other extremity, or the loss of a sensory organ such as an eye. The exact penalty is usually symbolic to the crime. Reserved for Major and Capital crimes, unless the Recidivism modifier is applied for a lesser crime.
Execution - The offender is killed, the method varying based on the crime. Reserved only for Capital crimes.
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Minor
The following laws are for minor misconduct, and usually carry the punishment of Fine and/or Imprisonment. These crimes can stack, but one should use their own will to determine the maximum length of their crimes. Criminals convicted of these crimes may request the punishment of Restorative Duties instead, so long as the Recidivism modifier is not applied.
Unlawful Arrest - A Vigilant Watch member found to have arrested or fined a citizen, later found to be innocent of the crimes charged for. This law is only required if the guilty party is found to have acted with ill intent, instead of against the spirit of the law. Punishment: Fine(1000, half to city, half to wronged individual), and Demotion in the Watch.
Petty Theft - Stealing of someone’s personal belongings, of which has a relatively low price or value, to be decided by the arresting Guardsman. Punishment: Fine(500-1500 depending on value of stolen item(s), per item and the stolen item(s) or value of such items returned to the victim), Imprisonment(1).
Vandalism - Generally disruptive behavior, be it loud public arguments or otherwise threatening behavior. Low-ranking ‘shenanigans’ that threaten the peace or public order. Punishment: Fine(500), Imprisonment(1).
Public Indecency - This can include public intoxication(alcohol, potions, other substances) or attempting to start a fight in a non-sanctioned area. To go against the normal commutes of daily life in a way that causes public disorder. Punishment: Fine(500), Imprisonment(1).
Insubordination - To actively go against a Vigilant Watch of adequate rank’s orders, within reason. Punishment: Imprisonment(2).
Criminalism - To partake in obvious illegal activity, such as, but not limited to, extortion, blackmail, forgery, smuggling, or anything else of this nature not otherwise covered by other points. Depending on severity, this can carry much larger penalties. Punishment: Dependent on Crime, at Commander’s discretion.
Trespass - Unwarranted home invasion, or the entry into areas otherwise noted as off limits, set apart by the Vigilant Watch. Punishment: Fine(500), Imprisonment(2).
Heretical Speech - Discussion and approval of dark gods gods. Depending on what was said, further investigation may be required into the Criminal’s abode or place of work. Punishment: Fine(1500).
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Major
These crimes are a step beyond the ones listed above, and therefore carry much harsher penalties. The Punishment for these crimes may be fines, imprisonment, and/or physical.
Assault - To threaten or use active force against somebody without the intent to kill. One should be careful with this, and take into account exactly why the assault happened and if they were provoked into it. Sexual Assault falls into this category, but should be considered more heinous. Punishment: Fine(2000), Imprisonment(5), Physical(Hand which struck the victim).
Manslaughter - To kill someone without malicious intent, I.E. should a fight spiral out of control. One should be careful with this, and take into account exactly why this happened and if it were merely self defense. Punishment: Fine(5000), Imprisonment(15).
Unlawful Confinement - To hold someone against their will in a way that is not lawful, such as kidnapping or arrest without an active charge. This law does not apply to terrorists or criminals against the Crown. Punishment: Fine(3000), Imprisonment(10), Physical(Both Hands).
Forbidden Magics - Dangerous magics, such as holy magic or occultism, must be registered with the Church of Three. Failure to do so, depending on the category of magic, can lead to much more severe punishment. Punishment: Fine(3000), Imprisonment(5).
Theft - To take someone's personal items, either through force or otherwise, with the stolen items being of relatively moderate value. Punishment: Fine(1500-3000, depending on value of stolen item(s), per item and the stolen item(s) or value of such items returned to the victim), Imprisonment(3).
Interfering with an Arrest - To unlawfully interfere with a Vigilant Watch member while they are attempting to make a lawful arrest. Punishment: The offender shares the punishment of the person they interfered with the arrest of.
Breaking and Entering - Forcing your way into a private domicile or area without lawful intent and approval. Punishment: Fine(4000), Imprisonment(5).
Jailbreak - To attempt to break yourself, or another prisoner, out of a lawful imprisonment. This becomes a Capital crime if the attempt succeeds. The one being freed from confinement must have reasonable suspicion to be assisting or allowing themselves to be freed for this crime to apply to them. Punishment: Imprisonment(20), Physical(Dominant Hand).
Use of Outlawed Magic - The use of magic deemed as being outlawed, no matter the category, without prior approval or notification of the Church of Three, within the capital. These magics are clearly on a case by case basis, but should be fairly obvious when they are being used. Punishment: Fine(3000), Imprisonment(10), Physical(Dominant Hand).
Grand Theft - To take someone's personal belongings, through force or otherwise, with the relative worth of the missing items being rather great, or of great importance. This could be something similar to arcanium, a Watchman’s sword, or any other manner of things. Discretion is to be used on a case by case basis. Punishment: Fine(3000-5000, depending on value of stolen item(s), per item to the city, and the stolen item(s) or value of such items returned to the victim), Imprisonment(10), Physical(Hand).
Sylvanum Usage - To be found to be addicted to the outlawed addicted drug Sylvanum. Punishment: Fine(10000), Rehabilitation.
Association with Illegal Elements - Conspiring with or aiding and abetting individuals, races, or members of a faith deemed illegal by the state. Punishment: Imprisonment(15), Physical(Tongue).
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Capital
These crimes are the most heinous within this list, and carry extremely harsh penalties. Such penalties include permanent confinement within a cell, or in the most severe of cases, execution done by a Vigilant or higher ranking member of the Vigilant Watch. The provable intent to commit these crimes carries punishment, too. In some cases, the government may offer rehabilitation as an alternative punishment, but this is not a requirement.
Murder/Unauthorized Execution - To actively kill someone with malicious intent, or to kill someone without a lawful backing. Premeditating a murder should be considered more heinous, if there is proof to back this claim up. Punishment: If successful, Execution(Crucifixion if non-citizen, Guillotine if citizen). If unsuccessful, Physical(Both hands).
Heretical Worship - To follow or actively worship a banned religion. Worship of a banned religion under the Republic’s law is to threaten the theological security of the Republic, and the punishment must thus be severe. Punishment: Execution(Burned at the Stake).
Heretical Proselytization - To attempt to convert the citizenry of Osrona into worshipping a banned religion. Regardless of punishment, investigation of the criminal’s home or place of work is required to ensure all heretical worship is found and removed. Punishment: Execution(Burned at the Stake).
Terrorism - For an outside group to threaten the Republic Authority in any number of ways. Examples include, but are not limited to, Espionage(spying), sieging or assaulting Osronan property, intentional violence against the citizenry, or other acts of aggression for the sake of a political nature. Punishment: Execution(Crucifixion).
Treason - To go against the leadership of the Republic in a manner that causes significant harm to the safety, liberty, or security of its people, or with the active intent to do so. Punishment: Execution(Guillotine).
Witchdom - To be a Witch is to sign one’s soul away to the Dark Lord. There is no saving a Witch. They must be sent to the afterlife, in hopes that their next life will be lived better. Punishment: Execution(Burned at the Stake).
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Registration Magics
These particular forms of magic are required to be registered with the city. It is a crime to use these magics within the territory of the Osronan Republic without registering beforehand.
- Holy Magic
- Occultism
Forbidden Magics
These particular forms of magic carry harsh penalties for their use with the territory of the Osronan Republic.
- Witchcraft
Banned Religions/Tenets
The following is a list of explicitly banned religions and tenets. If a religion is found to have a banned tenet as a practice, it is considered banned.
Religions:
Tenets:
- The sacrifice of innocents who do not willingly submit themselves to such.
- The worship of Fallen Angels.
- The worship of Demons.
- The worship of the Dark Lord of Helheim.
Good luck, and keep Osrona safe!