justice

Justice

Ignorance of the law is no excuse...

Justice

The system of justice is simple and effective. Justice is divided into three types:

1. High Justice – Punishible by death. Incldues arson, rape, kidnapping, treason, murder, and counterfeiting.

2. Middle Justice – Punishable by branding, amputation, or imprisonment. Includes theft, false measure, violence, drawing a weapon or casting an offensive spell within the city of Heliogabalus, harming a cat, failing to register for mages of 5^th level and higher, and interfering with messangers and/or the Royal Post.

3. Low Justice – All other offenses, to include failure of adventuring parties to register and failure to pay taxes.

The Army of Bloodstone serves as the local police force during times of peace. They have the power to arrest any non-noble for any crime at any time and place (and can arrest a noble for a high crime). The Army is loyal to the King, however, and so to protect their interestes the nobles also have appointed Sheriffs who have the authority to make arrests while on that noble’s land. The Sheriff works either with the local army officials, or with the noble’s own men-at-arms to make arrests.

Landowners have the right of justice over their farmers. Cases are presented by the plaintiff, who may call witnesses. The defendant states his case, and may also call witnesses. The jury deliberates, and issues their verdict to the Bailiff, who makes the pronouncement. In cases of Middle and High Justice, the plaintiff could appeal to the King’s Justice. The Bailiff usually holds court for his lord once per month, instructing the Reeve to collect the jury and other persons required for that month’s cases.

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