The Laws of Vatalli

Vatalli has a defined justice system, which favors nobles and tends to be vulnerable to politics.
Nobles in Vatalli are treated differently under the law compared to commoners. The penalties for committing a crime against a noble are stronger than committing a crime against a commoner.
Crimes are often punished by fines. Those who can pay the fine are allowed to go free. Those who cannot pay the fine are sentenced to hard labor to repay their fine through work. This means that the rich often only pay fines, while the poor are imprisoned and sentenced to years of labor on plantations and in mines and quarries.
Criminals are typically arrested by the constableri. They face a trial at Il Altacorte, where a panel of judges presides. The case against the accused is argued by the Avogadori, who act as prosecutors for the city. After the case is heard, the defense may present evidence. Finally, the judge makes a ruling and then determines a punishment. Vatalli legal code states many penalties, but provides significant discretion for the judge.
Both the judges of the Altacorte and the prosecutors of the Avogadori come from noble backgrounds. They are elected to these positions by their fellow noblemen every two years.
The laws are as follows:
I. Crimes against Nobles:

• Assaulting or impersonating a noble in a government position: death
• Assaulting or impersonating a noble: flogging and fine up to 1000 gp
• Blackmailing an official: flogging and exile up to 10 years
• Bribery or attempted bribery of a noble: fine up to double the bribe amount
• Murder of a noble: death
• Using magic to influence a noble without consent: fine up to 1,000gp

II. Crimes against the City:

• Arson: fines and/or damages covering the cost of repairs plus 2,000 gp
• Brandishing weapons without due cause: fine up to 10 gp
• Brandishing large weapons illegally: fine up to 100 gp
• Espionage: death or permanent exile
• Fencing stolen goods: fine equal to the value of the stolen goods
• Fleeing arrest: fine of 250 gp
• Forgery of an official document: flogging and exile for up to 10 years
• Hampering justice: fine up to 200 gp
• Littering: fine up to 2 gp
• Poisoning a city well: death
• Smuggling: fine equal to double the value of goods
• Tax evasion: fine of 2000 gp
• Theft: flogging and fine equal to the value of the stolen goods
• Trade in illicit goods: fine equal to double the value of goods
• Treason: death
• Vandalism: fine and/or damages covering the cost of repairs plus up to 100 gp
• Violation of embargo - exile for five years
• Unlicensed Wizardry: fine of 2000 gp plus damages
• Using magic to influence an official without consent: fine or damages up to 1,000 gp

III. Crimes against Absyun:

• Consorting with demons: death
• Disorderly conduct within a temple: fine of 5 gp
• Necromancy: death
• Theft of temple goods or offerings: flogging and fine equal to double the cost of the stolen items
• Tomb-robbing: damages covering the cost of repairs plus 500 gp
• Worship of dark gods: death
• Worship of dragons: death

IV. Crimes against Citizens:

• Assaulting a citizen: flogging and damages up to 1,000 gp
• Blackmailing or intimidating a citizen: fine or damages up to 500 gp
• Burglary: damages equal to the value of the stolen goods plus fine of 500 gp
• Damaging property or livestock: damages covering the cost of repairs or replacement plus fine of up to 500 gp
• Disturbing the peace: fine up to 25 gp
• Murdering a citizen without justification: death
• Murdering a citizen with justification: exile up to 5 years and damages up to 1,000 gp paid to the victim's kin
• Robbery: damages equal to the value of the stolen goods plus 500 gp
• Slavery: flogging and hard labor up to 10 years
• Using magic to influence a citizen without consent: fine or damages up to 1,000 gp