Legal System
Judiciary
How most court cases proceed; somebody is picked up by the watch. A surete/captain writes to the Office of the Inquisition lodging the allegations. The the Abjucator agrees to prosecute they may first meet with the defence, prosecution, and any relevant witnesses before scheduling a court date or dismissing the case. Over 3 days the defense, prosecution, and Abjucator meet behind (usually) closed doors to deliberate before the judge issues a verdict and (if guilty) a sentence. This is the case for most criminal cases that begin with an arrest, but what about civil cases, fraud, and the like? Here its up to the plaintiff to prosecute. They write to the Inquisitorial Office directly (preferably on legal or noble letterhead if the letter is to be read before being trashed). If the Abjucator agrees the case has merit the alleged will be summoned. Often there is a chance to settle out, otherwise court proceeds similarly to criminal cases. A date as set; if the plaintiff misses, the case is dismissed. If the defense misses, an arrest warrant is issued. Technically any civilian can petition the office but if the Abjucator whose desk it lands on doesn't recognize your name the letter is getting tossed. If you write repeatidley they'll likely relent and ready one but, now in a bad mood, they'll be more inclined to go through the effort of doing the paperwork and sending you confirmation in duplicate that your case is DISMISSED. If, miraculously, they agree to prosecute, things proceed as normal.Warrents
Office of the High Baliff has the authority to serve warrants or summons issued by Judges. These may be for arrest, search, deposition, or more.Imprisonment
From initial arrest to incarceration at a penitentiary imprisonment is often unjust and secretive. With trials often held behind closed doors its not unheard of for defendants to disappear for their trial and never be seen or heard from by their families again. With institutions like Providence Sanatorium it isn't always even necessary to receive a guilty veridict to become a prisoner. Bail can be posted but most commoners don't have the resources on hand. Those with cash can often get away with house arrest or community service even after being proven guilty.Statutes
Most Guilds in the city have extensive authority in establishing regulations concerning their domain. The difference between a sanctioned boxing match and an illegal brawl is the OK of Guild of Athletes. Gambling is legal only if approved by Guild of Bookkeepers. And violations of any guild policy may see criminal prosecution, even if the accused isn't a bonded member of the relevant guilds. Non-guild organizations such as Department of Infrastructure, Security Commission, Agency of Operations, and Bureau of Sustainable Resources have their own legislative authority. Church of the Golden Flame additionally defines and prosecutes violations of dogma such as heresy and treason.
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