State Crimes | Privilege Crimes | Crimes against Citizens | Temple Crimes
The following laws are those followed by the Emperor, the Dukes and the other regents of Anuire. They are the key laws of the empire, and though interpretation may vary, they hold true in every realm.
The Emperor and his legal representatives are empowered to seize and sell the property of a convict to realize the money needed to satisfy the payment of fines or damages, without the consent of a convict. The family, clan, guild, or business partners of a convict are never liable for the payment of a convicts fines or damages, unless they can be proven to have aided, abetted, ordered, or coerced a convict into the criminal activity in question.
Temples and priesthoods are permitted to pass or carry out sentences under Temple Law.
Convicted beings may owe fines to the Crown and pay as they can over time, but only upon permission of an appointed Lord or the Imperial Justiciar.
STATE CRIMES:
The following crimes concern actions against the Empire. They are generally deemed the most serious of all crimes and are usually the only laws that are enforced against nobles. They are all felonies.
TREASON
Any person is guilty of treason who communicates, delivers, or transmits (or attempts to communicate, deliver, or transmit) any document or information relating to the defense of the the Emperor, his family, or to any recognized Regent of his empire to any foreign government, or to any faction or party or military or naval force thereof, or to any representative, officer, agent, employee, subject, or citizen thereof, either directly or indirectly, with intent or reason to believe that said information or document is to be used to the injury of the Emperor, or to the advantage of said foreign entity.
A person is also guilty of treason who causes the Emperor, his family, or any recognized lord of the Empire, to be kidnapped, murdered, or confined and tortured or placed under duress by any means, including threats or wounding.
Aiding other persons carrying out treasonous acts by providing transportation, clothing, funds, or shelter, or opening a secured entry, or acting in any way to hamper law enforcement officials acting against such other persons constitutes treason, so long as this conduct is performed knowingly (where a person of reasonable wits and perception would know, or could logically conclude, that those he or she is aiding were committing, or about to commit, a treasonous act). Treason can only be committed by anuirean citizens; foreign nationals are prosecuted under sedition or espionage laws. Penalties: banishment, death by various means.
SEDITION
Verbal treason. Encouraging others to commit treason, disputing the authority of the crown (or state) . Penalties: banishment, death by various means.
ESPIONAGE
Sabotage of Imperial property, spying, Treasonous acts undertaken by foreign nationals. Penalties: death by various means.
REBELLION
Taking up arms against a lawful leige or denying his rights or privileges. Penalties: loss of title, banishment, death by various means.
REGICIDE
Killing or attempting to kill a member of the royal family. Penalties: death (usually after torture).
ASSASSINATION
Murder or attempted murder of a noble or lawfully appointed official. Penalties: restitution and/or death.
Impersonation of a Regent
PRIVILEGE CRIMES:
The following crimes concern the abuse or usurpery of some kind of privilege, obligation or right, an offence against the social order. Many of these are considered felonies; those that are not require an accusation to be brought by the offended party.
BREACH OF THE PRIVILEGE OF RANK
Bearing chivalric arms without lawful right thereto, impersonation of a noble, usurpery of the customary or lawful rights of a noble, lack of proper respect for a person of noble birth or rank, or for a lawfully appointed official (of the government), and laying hands on such a person in a disrespectful manner or without permission. Penalties: flogging, branding, imprisonment, death by flogging.
ABUSE OF TRUST
Any crime involving abuse of office or position, including graft, embezzlement, accepting bribes, failure to properly execute customary or legal obligation, dereliction of duty, etc. Where a royal official is concerned, this is considered a felony. Penalties: loss of office, title, property and privilege, imprisonment, banishment, death by various means.
OATHBREAKING
Perjury (lying under oath) or oath breaking, breach of contract, etc. Penalties: fine, restitution, confiscation of property, loss of privilege, title, and office, banishment, severing of the tongue, scolding, death by stoning.
OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE
Hindering an officer/noble in the performance of his duty. If other felonies are involved or if the obstructed officer is a royal official, this is deemed a felony. Penalties: fine, imprisonment, pillory, hanging.
CRIMES AGAINST CITIZENS:
These are generally crimes of violence against commoners. As a rule, only common folk will suffer the more severe penalties given below; a noble's liability is usually limited to restitution in cash or kind, if that. Some are felonies, others require action by the injured party.
BATTERY
Common assault, attacking a person causing injury. Penalties: restitution, pillory, flogging.
RAPE
Sexual assault of a maiden. This is a borderline felony. Penalties: flogging, restitution, imprisonment, castration, death by stoning.
HIGH MURDER
The unlawful killing of another person (intelligent being) with malice aforethought: that is, a premeditated intent to kill plus an element of hatred.
No one accused of High Murder is ever released from custody before trial. Malice aforethought is not required in the presence of one of the following conditions:
1. A person is guilty of High Murder if he or she knowingly causes the death of a law enforcement officer or civic official of high rank.
2. A person is guilty of High Murder if he or she knowingly causes the death of another by hiring someone to carry out the killing or after having been so hired to kill someone for personal monetary gain. Such persons would also likely be charged with Conspiracy.
3. A person is guilty of High Murder if he or she knowingly causes the death of another after being sentenced to life imprisonment.
Defending oneself from clear and immediate likelihood of death is a defence against all degrees of murder. For example, if the accused did not begin hostilities with an assault, pursue and strike a fleeing opponent, or strike a disarmed foe, then he or she probably did not knowingly cause death but killed in self-defence in the course of trying to survive.
Penalties: death by hanging, death by various means.
MURDER
The unlawful killing of another person that is willful, deliberate, and premeditated. Satisfying the condition of Willfulness requires intent to kill (and not merely to disable, hurt, or drive away). Deliberation requires a conscious consideration of the decision to kill (any evidence that the location of the murderous attack or the means used was deliberately chosen is, by itself, proof of deliberation). Premeditation requires that the intent to kill be fashioned prior to the killing (any use of disguise, or any procurement of weapons not directly at hand or not normally carried, is clear evidence of premeditation).
1. A person is guilty of Murder if he or she purposely causes the death of another.
2. A person is guilty of Murder if he or she knowingly causes the death of another before, during, or after the commission of another crime.
3. A person is guilty of Murder if he or she knowingly causes the death of an incapacitated foe within the confines of the Empire, even when that foe has been engaged in violent acts (or has offered a threat of violence) against the accused. For the purposes of this law, incapacitated includes foes who are securely bound, chained, or otherwise restrained (being held by another person may or may not be judged secure depending on circumstances; being held by three or more persons, or by a being of great strength, is usually deemed secure, foes who are unconscious, and foes who are magically prevented from voluntary movement
Penalties: death by hanging, restitution, fine, slavery to the family of the deceased etc.
MANSLAUGHTER
The accidental slaying of a commoner. This is generally considered a felony. Penalties: restitution, fine, imprisonment.
CONSPIRACY
A combination of two or more persons to plan a criminal or unlawful act, or a combination of two or more persons who by concerted action accomplish an unlawful purpose.
ARSON
The destruction or attempted destruction of Imperial or privately owned property by use of fire.
Penalties: Death by burning, restitution, fine, imprisonment.
CANNIBALISM
Eating or skinning human bodies. Generally deemed a felony. Penalties: death by starvation or being thrown to wild dogs, burning at the stake.
ABDUCTION
Detention of a person against his will, without good or lawful cause. Sometimes considered a felony. Penalties: restitution, fine, imprisonment, mutilation.
OBSCENE PRACTICE
Engaged in some proscribed and immoral act such as prostitution, indecent exposure, etc. Penalties: fine, pillory, imprisonment, death by stoning.
LIBEL/SLANDER
False accusation, malicious gossip, etc. Penalties: , removal of the tongue, restitution, flogging.
BREACH OF GUILD PRIVILEGE
Usurpury of the customary or lawful rights of a guild or guildsman, impersonating a guildsman, violation of guild monopoly. Penalties: confiscation of property, fine, restitution, banishment.
PETTY LARCENY
Minor theft. Penalties: pillory, restitution, fine, flogging.
GRAND LARCENY
Major theft. Penalties: pillory, restitution, fine, flogging, mutilation, hanging.
HORSE THEFT
Usually applies only to warhorses. Penalties: death by hanging.
POACHING
Most serious when the act is on royal lands, when it is considered a felony. Penalties: restitution, fine, flogging, severing of the hand, banishment, death.
HOARDING
Hoarding food in time of famine, violation of any rationing laws that may be in effect. Penalties: flogging, death by starvation.
TAX EVASION
Avoiding payment of any lawful toll or tax. A felony. Penalties: restitution, fine, pillory, flogging.
FORGERY, FRAUD
Counterfeiting coins or forging documents, possession of same, or obtaining benefits by misrepresentation. A felony, if royal privilege is involved. Penalties: fine, restitution, pillory, loss of property, privilege and office, severing of the hand, imprisonment.
SMUGGLING
Engaged in transporting, selling, or in possession of, any proscribed or contraband goods. Considered a felony. Penalties: fine, imprisonment, pillory, hanging.
PIRACY, HIGHWAY ROBBERY
Self-explanatory. A felony. Penalties: fine, pillory, imprisonment, hanging.
POISONING OF WATER
(City Wells; includes attempted blockage or attempts to control public access, or charge fees for such access)
BRINGING UNLICENSED MONSTERS INTO THE EMPIRE
It is unlawful to bring unlicensed monsters into the Imperial City. Monsters may not be brought into a realm without a license obtained from the Imperial Court.
Penalties: fine, imprisonment
BRIBERY OF AN OFFICER OR OFFICIAL (attempted or apprehended)
the receiving or offering any undue reward by or to any person whatsoever, in a public office in order to influence his behavior in office and induce him to act contrary to the known rules of honesty and integrity.
LESSER OFFENSES
Unlawful Entry
MINOR OFFENSES
Vagrancy
Littering (includes Relief of Human Wastes in Public)
Brandishing a Weapon Dangerously or Threateningly Without Due Cause
Dangerous Operation of a Coach, Wagon, Litter or other Conveyance including the little boats that take citizens of the city from Island to Island.
TEMPLE CRIMES:
The following crimes are tried under temple law in religious courts. Only crimes against legally recognised churches are dealt with under temple law. Temple courts must obtain secular consent to any death penalties. Temple courts may use trial by ordeal. The penalties handed out by temple courts will vary from one temple to another. Accusations must be made by the injured party.
BREACH OF TEMPLE PRIVILEGE
Impersonation of a priest/cleric, usurpury of temple rights. Penalties: flogging, banishment, burning (at the stake), impalement, excommunication.
DESECRATION OF CHURCH PROPERTY
Disrespect for, or theft of, the property of a lawfully recognised church or the relics/artifacts of a lawful deity. Penalties: flogging, branding, mutilation, burning, impalement, excommunication.
BLASPHEMY
Lack of respect for a lawfully recognized deity. Penalties: removal of the tongue, excommunication.
HERESY
Denial of a lawful church's status as arbiter of its deity's will, denial of the authority of a temple or cleric, disputing church doctrine. Penalties: removal of the tongue, mutilation, burning, impalement, excommunication.
WITCHCRAFT/NECROMANCY
A very dubious crime. Conjuring or consorting with demons, disposing of souls, casting inimical spells etc., for the purpose of unlawful personal gain. This too is something of a catch-all crime; witchcraft laws are not generally enforced. Penalties: impalement, burning, drowning, hanging.
UNLAWFUL RELIGIOUS PRACTICE
A catch-all offence used to stamp out any dubious religious practice that cannot easily be dealt with under other temple laws. Penalties: removal of the tongue, drowning, burning, excommunication.