The table above provides the basic list of common crimes and the law level at which they become a crime.  Then, the common fine is listed for the infraction, and finally, the punishment for the offense.  In cases where the fine cannot be paid, the punishment is typically extended (see Endangered Servitude below). 

Adjustments to fees/fines and punishment durations – each additional law level above the required amount for the behavior to become a crime adds 25% to the fine and punishment duration.  Thus, a petty thief caught in a town with a 6 law level would be fined 4.5 gps and spend 11 days in jail.  The same thief caught in a town with a 7 law level would be fined 5.25 gps and spend 13 days in jail.  Sometimes, however, especially in more lawful societies, the punishment can be upgraded to the next harsher level rather than the duration extended.  Thus, the same petty thief would be required to serve hard labor for 7 days rather than simply remain in jail for 11 or 13 days. 

The standard progressions of punishments are as follows.  Fines, days in jail, weeks in jail, months in jail, years in jail, hard labor while in jail, and banishment or death. 

Lawful societies often incorporate corporal punishment instead of or in addition to fines.  Such punishment is often observed by the townsfolk in a public lashing. 

Evilly aligned societies often incorporate other types of punishments such as beatings, torturing, maiming, and slavery.  Slaves can then be bought and sold as property or simply thrown into the gladiatorial area for amusement. 

Endangered Servitude – a common practice in most societies where the accused cannot pay the fines levied against him.  Commonly, the length of the servitude is determined by the amount of money owed.  The accused simply agrees to ‘work-off’ the dept.  Fair market value is often accepted for work or skills used during the servitude.  Most good-aligned societies limit the maximum length of servitude (7 years being the most common). 

Town Guardsmen – these individuals function as the town police.  They are often trained as warriors and identified by some badge of office. 

Guardsmen of smaller population centers often wear leather armor and carry clubs and short swords. 

Medium population centers often equip their guardsmen with chainmail armor, helmet, shield, and arm them with clubs and spears or broadswords.  Group leaders often receive additional training in weapons and police procedures.  Occasionally town guardsmen of medium sized cities have guard dog companions. 

Larger cities often equip their guardsmen in splint mail or banded mail armor and shield.  They often carry clubs, long swords, and spears.  Town Guardsmen of larger cities are better trained both in weapons and police procedures.  Often these individuals have access to specialized equipment and often have guard animals to assist them. 

Watchmen – these individuals are the lowest tier of law enforcement.  These individuals are responsible for mundane tasks such as lighting lanterns/torches, checking secured areas, and foot patrols.  They are typically minimally trained and equipped in leather armor and carry clubs and/or spears.  Watchmen are the eyes and ears of the local police force and often function as back-up troops.  Most watchmen advance to town guardsmen after a few years of experience. 

Specialists – These individuals often function as the leaders of the town guards.  Most are drawn from the warrior vocations often with military experience and possess expert weapon skills.  They are often equipped better and usually carry superior weapons.  On rare occasion spell casters fill these positions, more often in larger cities.  These individuals will be quit functional leaders and can bring magic to bear on law breakers. 

Guard Dogs – most medium sized population centers and large cities also employ guard dogs alongside guardsmen.  This increases the effectiveness of the town guard.  Most guard dogs are not armored but they are well trained.  Guard dogs are trained to track by sent and seek out outlawed materials. 

Specialized Equipment – In well-funded town guardsmen often possess superior equipment.  Alchemical smoke bombs, irritants, and subdual drugs are most common.  Ranking officials sometimes carry magical potions or minor magical items.  Commanders may have access to magical manacles, scrying devices, and/or truth potions. 

Law Enforcement Facilities – These structures are used to house criminals and law breakers.  They vary in size and complexity, but most are well maintained and quite functional. 

Larger cities will, of course, have multiple jailhouses or, more commonly, a single large facility.  Thus, a city with 6000 people and a low level of 4 could have a single reinforced multi-level stone structure that functions as a police headquarters and jail.  This facility would have a capacity of 400-500.  Alternatively, the city could have several police precincts throughout the city with a capacity of 40-60 prisoners each.  The specifics are up to the GM to determine. 

All of these structures will have heavy wooden shutters, which can be locked or, more commonly, iron bars in the windows and fireplaces.  The floor plan would take into account the presence of prisoners and afford the town guards a level of heightened protection.   The larger facilities will also have wooden or stone walls surrounding them.  Most of the larger facilities will also have patrols around jailhouses and prisons. 

Special Racial Considerations - Law enforcement varies based on racial preferences.  Elves, in general, are not in favor of long jail or prison terms, while dwarves often extend such.  Orcs and Giants prefer to dispense justice by corporal punishment or simply by maiming an individual guilty of a severe crime.  As a result, jailhouses are not common in orcish or giant societies.  Wingfolk ground guilty individuals and deprived them of flight, and Halflings favored bread and water as a form of punishment.