All DOJ personnel are required to follow the rules and expectations outlined in this handbook, as well as all HeadlinerRP Server Rules. Failure to comply with these policies without prior authorization from High Command or Government may result in disciplinary action. Employees of the DOJ are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism both on and off duty. This includes:

• Adhering to the Oath of Admission to the Bar 

• Demonstrating ethical conduct and respect toward colleagues, clients, and officers.

• Avoiding any behavior that could damage the DOJ or the HRP community's reputation.

• Avoiding any engagement in criminal activity, being arrested, or having a criminal record. Being found guilty of any criminal activity will result in termination. 

All DOJ  personnel should also remember that Los Santos is in an at-will employment state. At-will employment is a doctrine in which “either the employer or employee can end the job at any time, for any reason, or no reason at all, as long as it's not an illegal reason (like discrimination or retaliation).” This means that your employment can be terminated at any time for any reason. 

By joining the DOJ and reading these SOPs, you are agreeing that you understand the at-will employment. While DOJ High Command will try to give you a reason for your termination, understand that they can’t always do so. 

Dress Code

DOJ employees are expected to dress professionally while on duty or representing themselves as the DOJ. This includes cell calls, training, meetings, etc. 

Court Room Attire: Business Professional Attire Required

Weapons Policy

DOJ Employees are allowed to possess weapons. 

Weapons are NOT allowed in cell calls, these must be stored prior to entering the PD or surrendered upon entering.

Weapons are NOT allowed in the court rooms. DOJ employees must properly store weapons prior to attending court. 

Time Keeping & Clocking-in Policy

If a DOJ member is on-duty, they should tune into Radio Channel 11. This allows PD and other DOJ members to know who is available to take cell calls, clients, etc. You do not need to remain on the radio channel if you are having meetings or doing other work that requires your full attention. If you are not doing DOJ related work, please clock off using the tablet function so that you are not listed as available. 

Pay Structure

Refer to Fee Schedule for most up to date costs for court, name changes, marriage licenses, expungements, etc. 

District Attorney's Office Special Standards

The district attorneys office must exercise due diligence before reviewing and submitting warrants for judicial approval.

All paperwork (ex. reoprts, supporting documents, probable cause statements) must be thoroughly verified for accuracy. Judges should not be reviewing warrant applications that have not been properly reviewed and vetted.

Number 1 Rule

Our number one rule within the Department of Justice to HAVE FUN!!! There is no excuse. Anyone who refuses to have fun will be fired without question. 

"I, [Name], do solemnly swear that I will uphold the laws of this State and serve its people with integrity, fairness, and unwavering impartiality.

I will defend the rights of every individual, stand firm against pressure and corruption, and carry out my duties with honor and resolve.

I will seek the truth in all matters, ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied, and that my decisions remain free from bias or personal interest.

I swear to protect the confidentiality of those I serve, guarding all client information with the utmost discretion and respect.

I accept the authority entrusted to me and vow to use it wisely, responsibly, and without abuse.

With every action I take, I commit myself to the pursuit of justice above all else.

So help me Mommy(on my momma)."

3.1 Overview

The DOJ procedure is based on US law and constitution. We have a specific set of case laws that we follow based on relevant and applicable case laws, as well as case laws developed from trials within the city.

Case Laws: Headliner DOJ Judges will follow a specific set of case laws developed from actual case law as well as those specific to the city. Outside case law may not be considered in the court of law. That does not mean you cannot bring examples to support your case. Cases taken to court have the opportunity to shape how law is applied within the city. 

3.2 Cell Calls

• Cell calls should last no longer than 15 minutes NO EXCEPTIONS

• You have one negotiation offer for PD. If PD does not want to make any deal, take the case to court and have your client plead “not guilty.” Make your arguments in front of a judge.

• Accused individuals should be advised of their options:

  • Not Guilty - receive bail fee (double fine), ankle monitor, and must reach out to an attorney within 48hrs and open a docket within 7 days of arrest

    • Note: getting arrested while out on bail results in forfeiture of their bail and they will be charged with the full time/fine of the original charges

  • No Contest - receive full time and full fine, but their plea will not count for or against them in court. 

  • Guilty - If a client pleads guilty in exchange for reduced sentence or fine, they waive their right to fight the criminal charges in court. This plea can be used against them in court.

• DOJ Employees must stay professional at all times, including interactions with clients, PD and fellow coworkers. 

• If a paralegal is shadowing, they are not allowed to provide legal advice or input into the call. They are strictly participating in an observational capacity. 

Breaches can result in disciplinary action, including termination.

3.2 Email Etiquette 

The discord is mainly used for scheduling a time to meet in the city or a form for signing documents. Avoid using any section of the discord as a chat function. Keep as much communication in the city and in RP as possible. 

Communication should remain professional at all times. If  you would like to discuss something further, please request to meet in the city with involved parties. 

Avoid private messaging anyone with DOJ related concerns. All feedback should go through the DOJ website and questions should be discussed in the city. If you need to schedule a time to meet with a judge, this can be done during judicial office hours. 

Lawyer Requests

This functions as a private line of communication between clients and their lawyer. Avoid having detailed back and forth conversations in requests and instead, schedule a time to meet in city. Lawyer request tickets are managed by public defenders and private attorneys. The DA’s Office is not allowed to check Lawyer Requests. 

• Ticket Naming: 

  • After taking on a lawyer request ticket, you are responsible for naming the ticket and closing the ticket once completed. 

  • Format will be [attorney initials]-[request type]-[ticket number]

    • Example: Cassandra Cole, criminal trial, ticket 001
      CC-Criminal-001

    • Example: Michael Salvatore, name change, ticket 002
      MS-Name-Change-002

Dockets

These are part of the official court record and are managed by the judges. Only judges are allowed to change docket names. This will be where evidence is submitted, discovery is requested, and witness lists are compiled. Ensure all parties are aware of the trial date and time once scheduled to ensure everyone is present. 

Schedule your time for trial with [LINK TO SCHEDULE TRIAL WHEN COMPLETE]

Docket request checklist:

1. Always have your client open the docket - otherwise they cannot see the docket

2. State what the docket is for - [Civil Case, Criminal Case, Name Change, Expungement]

3. Notify appropriate parties - DAs office or other civil party as applicable. If you need help with this please ask a Judge. Request discovery if applicable. 

4. Provide any documentation - Subpoenas, motions, plea deals, or evidence. 

5. List all witnesses - If they are not listed before trial, there is no guarantee they will be allowed. Ensure all listed parties are available for trial. 

6. Schedule trial - You may not know who your judge will be until the day of the trial. You are not allowed to request a specific judge.
   *Trials should be scheduled promptly. Dockets open for more than 1 week, they will be closed and may be re-opened at a later time*

Judge Requests

Signatures: You may request a judges signature on a document by filing the completed document in the “Request Judges Signature” section of the emails. These can be signed remotely if no judge is available in city. Please allow for 24-48 hours to sign all documents. 

Scheduling a time to meet in city: Please refer to Judicial Office Hours posted for times a judge will be available for in city meetings, including court cases, name changes, expungements, etc. 

Training: If you are unable to find a judge in city and need to complete your paralegal training, please open an interview request and state what you need to complete. A judge will schedule a time to meet with you in city. 

3.3  Arbitration & Plea Deals

Arbitration

• A neutral third party, an arbitration (Judge), hears both sides of a dispute and makes a decision.

• It’s usually an alternative to a trial—faster and less formal.

• Common in civil matters (contracts, business disputes, internal conflicts).

• The decision is binding (final).

• Think: “Let’s skip court and have someone decide for us.”

Plea Deal (Plea Bargain)

• An agreement between the prosecution and the defendant in a criminal case. These are negotiated with the DAs office.

• The defendant pleads guilty in exchange for something—usually:

  • Reduced charges

  • Lighter sentence

• The defendant is admitting guilt as part of the deal.

• Plea deals must be agreed upon by both parties, defendant and prosecution. A judge is required to approve the agreement.

• Think: “I’ll accept guilt for a lesser outcome instead of risking trial.”

3.4 Trials

Trials are scheduled after a Docket is opened and trial date/time is set using the following link:  Trials may be scheduled during Judicial Office Hours. 

Please refer to “Docket” section 3.22 for details on how to initial trials. 

Criminal Trials

• Definition:

  • Criminal cases are brought by the State against an individual accused of violating the law. 

• Key Points:

  • Client must have pled “Not Guilty” or “No Contest”

  • Can result in jail time, fines, or both

  • Prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office

  • Defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty

• Burden of Proof:

  • Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (high standard)

Civil Trial

• Definition:
  Civil cases involve disputes between individuals, businesses, or organizations. The State is not a party in these cases.

• Key Points:

  • No jail time or criminal charges

  • Focus is on resolving disputes

  • Outcomes may include:

    • Monetary compensation, Property return, Court-ordered actions

• Burden of Proof:
  Preponderance of Evidence (more likely than not)

• Examples:

  • Lawsuits over damages (vehicle accidents, property damage)

  • Contract disputes

Jury Trial

Jury trials may be requested for any criminal or civil trial. These are limited based on DOJ finances (to pay jurors) as well as scheduling. Jury trials will typically take place during the city’s peak time to ensure plenty of jurors are available. If client schedules do not align or finances are not available, a jury trial may be denied. 

Speedy Trial

Speedy trials are available if a judge is in the city and agrees to preside. These occur directly after a cell call at the request of an arrested individual. 

Speedy trials are ideal for cases that do not require immense detective work, evidence collection or witness statements. 

Judges review the facts of a case and make the deciding ruling. Anyone taking their case to a speedy trial, forfeits their right to additional trials. Unless there is an egregious circumstance, these rulings cannot be overturned. 

Expungements 

Requirements: An individual requesting an expungement must have at least 2 weeks without any arrest prior for consideration, it is recommended waiting 30 days prior to applying for an expungement hearing.

Expungements are granted on a case-by-case evaluation and are granted or denied by a judge. The district attorney’s office will make their recommendations based on the duration without arrest as well as the arrest records. 

Procedure: 

• Open a Docket: Give individuals name 

  • Attorneys may subpoena the arrest record

• DA’s Office will provide any objections. Objections may be based on:

  • Content of the arrest record (such as terrorism, racketeering, etc.)

  • Duration since previous arrest. 

    • If the last arrest was less than 30 days ago, that is grounds for automatic objection. 

• Schedule expungement hearing

  • If the DA’s office objects, they must attend the expungement hearing. 

  • If the DA’s office has no objections, they are not required to attend the expungement hearing. 

Expungements are granted based on the arrest record, duration since prior arrest, supporting documentation (recommendation letters, community service, etc), client and witness testimony. Expungement fees must be paid prior to hearing and does not guarantee the expungement will be approved. 

Appeals: all court appeals are reviewed by the Chief Justice. 

Admissible Evidence

Pictures/Documents/etc: Legally obtained photos, documents, flyers, emails, posters, social media posts are admissible in the court room. All evidence should be submitted in the docket prior to trial. 

Video Evidence: To be used in court, any video evidence must be obtained with in-city equipment, such as phones. Clipping software can only be admissible if the person follows recording proccedures AND the recording is in first person POV. Dash camera footage must be first person POV. 

Third person POV will not be entertained in video format in the courtroom. 

Recording Procedures:

1. If utilizing a bodycam on your outfit, or utilizing a handheld camera via emote. Please make sure it the lense is visably shown in the beginning of the clip, to prove they have the bodycam on.

2. If utilizing an in-city mobile phone, the individual must visibly produce the phone and place it into recording mode before relying on clipping software to capture the relevant footage.

3. CCTV images and photos are admissible since they are in-city produced. However please show proof of CCTV in the beginning of the video.

Audio recordings: must be obtained using in city recordings, such as a phone. Using clipping software to obtain recordings will not be entertained in court unless the above criteria are met. 

All evidence should be submitted in the docket prior to trial. 

Appellate Court

All court cases may be appealed. In order to appeal a case, you must submit your grounds for appeal in the docket. Ensure that your reason for appeal is listed with details. Disagreeing with the results alone is not grounds for an appeal, but providing supporting case law or rationale for why a case should be overturned should be clearly stated. 

All appealed cases are reviewed by the Chief Justice. 

3.5 Documents

Name Changes

• Cannot have a felony record

• Must be approved by a judge. 

Marriage License

• Marriage License documents must include the participating parties (people intended to marry), officiant, date, time, and location of the wedding. 

• Officiants are considered any licensed officiant in the state of Los Santos as approved by a Judge. 

• Licenses must be signed by a judge. Once signed, there is a 72 hour annulment period where the marriage may be annulled without the need for divorce proceedings. After the document has been signed for 72-hours the Marriage is official and legally binding. 

Restraining Orders

Restraining orders must be approved by a judge. 

To request a restraining order, the petitioner (person requesting it) should provide:

• Basic Information

  • Full name of petitioner

  • Full name of respondent (person being restrained)

  • Contact information (if applicable)

• Reason for Request

  • Clear explanation of threats, harassment, or harm

  • Specific incidents (dates, times, locations)

• Why protection is needed

  • Police report Number with supporting evidence

    • Photos, messages, or recordings

    • Witness statements (if available)

• Requested Terms

  • No contact (calls, texts, third-party contact)

  • Stay-away distance (e.g., 100 feet)

  • Restricted locations (home, workplace, etc.)

Subpoenas 

A subpoena is a court order requiring a person to appear in court or provide evidence. All subpoenas require a judge’s signature for approval. 

• Basic Information: 

  • Case Name, number, docket number (if applicable)

  • Type of Suboena

    • Subpoena ad testificandum – Requires Testimony (to appear and speak in court)

    • Subpoena duces tecum – Requires documents/evidence

• Recipient Information: 

  • Name of person, business or entity being subpoenaed

  • Contact information (if known)

• Detains of Requirement: 

  • Date/Time of Court Date

  • Specific documentation/ items requested. These should be specific and include timeframes

• Reason/Justification 

  • Court appearance: Brief explanation of why testimony is relevant to case

  • Evidence: explanation for why this evidence is relevant to the case. 

Warrants

Warrants may be signed by a judge, and in special circumstances warrants may be approved by other means. A warrant may be sealed at the state’s request, and stay sealed until executed by the police department. 

At the time of service, warrants may be presented upon request by phone, email or a physical copy. 

If the legality of a warrant is being questioned, this should be brought to the courtroom. Do not interfere with the warrant being executed. Any interference may constitute obstruction of justice. Instead, allow PD to perform their job and bring the legal arguments to court. 

Lawyers are allowed to check to see if their client has an active warrant. If a warrant is listed as “SEALED” do not check that warrant information. If your client has an active arrest warrant, you should recommend they surrender and/or negotiate with the DA’s office for a plea deal. Do not assist clients in evading warrants.

Bench Warrants: These are issued if a client has entered a “Not Guilty” plea and has not taken appropriate steps to take their case to court. Clients have 48 hours after their plea to create a lawyer request and attempt to obtain legal counsel, they have 7 days to open a docket and attempt to schedule a court case. Failure to do either of these will result in a bench warrant. 

Executive Oversight

• Includes the following roles:

  • Chief Justice

• Full departmental authority and final decision-making power  

• Approval of major policy, structural changes, and disciplinary actions 

• Final decisions on suspensions, terminations, and major disciplinary actions 

Executive Command

• Includes the following roles:

  • Assistant Chief of Justice

• Department-wide operational leadership  

• Oversight of judicial functions and court operations  

• Implementation of policies set by the Chief Justice

High Command

• Includes the following roles:

  • Senior Judges

• Responsible for enforcing DOJ protocols and assist operational flow

• Recommending disciplinary actions (final approval by Executive Command) 

• Supervising Command roles 

Command

• Includes the following roles:

  • Judges 

  • District Attorney

  • Senior Public Defender [or another name]

• Oversee their respective departments and report directly to High Command.

• Must operate collaboratively and enforce department protocols

Judicial Branch Structure

• District Attorney Office

  • 1 District Attorney - Elected 

  • 3 ADAs appointed 

  • Prosecutors

• Public Defenders Office

  • Senior Public Defender

  • Public Defender

• Private Attorney 

  • Law Firms (TBD)

  • Private Attorney, self employed

5.1 Recruiting & Onboarding

• Application Process: Apply in the main Headliner Discord. Once approved, create an interview ticket in the DOJ discord.

• Interview: Schedule an interview with a Judge, if approved you will proceed with training. 

• Training: Completion of the in-city training (onboarding, shadowing/cell calls). 

• Paralegal Exam: To be completed with a Judge once checklist is complete

5.2 Inactivity and LOA

DOJ employees must submit a LOA request in our LOA Channel if they foresee themselves not being able to work for the foreseeable future.

• If employees are on an LOA after 30 days, they will be removed from the IC system and will meet with a judge to be evaluated for rehire.

• If employees are inactive for 30 days without an LOA, they will be removed from the DOJ and will be required to reapply.

5.3 Re-Entry Policy

Any individual who voluntarily departs from DOJ and later wishes to return may be allowed to do so. Still, reinstatement is strictly subject to the approval of the Chief Justice. Chief Justice holds complete discretion to accept or decline the request based on operational needs, personnel capacity, and professional conduct history.

*All returning members must comply with any retraining, probationary periods, or conditions set forth by the COJs. This includes: demotion from previous rank, attending additional training, shadowing, etc.