Irvyn

* Let it be known that the rightful ruler of Trinsic, the Duke, and his chosen Council of Nobles hold sovereign authority over the laws and customs of the City, and reserve the right to amend, remove, or enact such new laws as they may deem fit.

* These laws are applicable to those within the boundaries of the Duchy of Trinsic as well as the city of Trinsic. Arrest of suspected offenders may only be carried out by appointed guardsmen of such guilds and orders approved by the Duke and Council of Nobles.

Crimes

Breach of the peace

* To increase the safety of the streets, no duelling is to take place in any area of the city except the Market Square or the Training Hall on Paladins Isle or at the Barracks and Training Area. No guards are permitted to duel whilst on duty. This shall apply also to training pets to fight.

* In order to keep the peace, no person shall openly bear arms within the bounds of the Duchy of Trinsic unless specifically authorised to do so. Those so authorised are the Duke and the Council of Nobles, the Duchy Guard, the Trinsic Paladins of Honour and the Elven Guild. All other persons may possess arms but are not permitted to carry them in their hands or use them save in self defence. An exception may be made in the case of the elderly or infirm who require a staff for support.

* To assist the guards in ensuring the safety within the boundaries of the Duchy it is forbidden to wear hoods, masks or closed helmets that hide the features of the face. It is furthermore forbidden to employ disguises. Every person hiding their features or identity is assumed to be a criminal and dangerous until they reveal themselves. Exceptions can be granted in form of a written permission from an Officer within the guard force, the Justice or the Duke

Disorderly Conduct

*No person or persons shall wilfully or negligently act in a manner with the intent to cause grievance to, deceive, or obstruct another within the city limits.

Examples of such infringements include misdemeanours such as:-
breaking an imposed ban, impersonating a tax collector, blocking highway, continued harassment of an individual or group, taking the form of any Undead, demonic or non-human enemy of the city, raising Undead creatures, summoning evil creatures or familiars etc..

*No person shall purposefully act in a manner that physically threatens the city or the life of another or make menacing threats or insults against those put in a position of authority by the Duke, that being the chosen council of Nobles and Ministers and the guard force.

*Important:

Be it further known that since the failure of the Gates of Virtue ritual, it is most strongly advised that no recalling, gating or use of sacred journey should be permitted within the walls of Trinsic. Those found repeatedly ignoring this advice will be charged with Disorderly Conduct as above, in order to preserve the safety of our citizens and visitors.

Supplying Alcoholic wares and Weaponry to those Underage

*No person shall sell, give or otherwise distribute alcoholic wares or weapons of any nature to children under the age of 14 in Trinsic, unless with a lawful guardian’s direct permission.

Arson

*No person shall intentionally set fire to the property of another individual or of the Duchy with the intent to cause damage.

Theft

* No person shall take any item or property from another individual without their consent, unless by someone in an official capacity to aid in a criminal investigation.

Trading in Goods within the City without the appropriate licence

* No person shall trade in goods without first acquiring the appropriate trading licence from the City's Trade Minister.

Handling Stolen Goods

* No person shall buy or sell items which are known to them to have been taken illegally from another individual.

Dealing in Illegal Goods

* No person shall deal in goods specifically proscribed by the publicly posted trading laws. These are subject to amendment at any time; such amendments will also be publicly posted and it is the responsibility of the person concerned to keep him or herself informed and ensure that he or she complies thereto.

* Under certain circumstances, authorisation may be given for the carrying and dealing of those goods deemed illegal; such authorisation must be acquired from the Trade Minister and authorised by the Justice, a Magistrate or the Captain of the Guards. A letter of authorisation must be carried at all times with the stated goods else the carrier will be deemed as dealing in, and carrying illegal goods and treated as such.

Smuggling

* No person shall bring or attempt to bring into the city any illegal goods, or legal goods in such a manner as to avoid the payment of due taxes.

Spying

* No person shall attempt to enter Official Duchy buildings without permission or knowledge from the guards. These buildings currently include, but are not restricted to: the jail on all levels, the Duke’s office and the guardhouses.

* Repeat offences of this law will be seen as ‘Spying with Intent to Commit Treason’ and will be treated as such.

Kidnapping

* No person shall restrain or otherwise imprison another individual without their consent, unless to protect themselves or other individuals.

Unlawful Imprisonment

* No person shall seek to confine within a jail or cell another individual on the basis of any alleged crime not here listed.

Blackmail

* No person shall attempt to use information against another individual in a malicious way so as to extract favour or money.

Extortion

* No person shall attempt to use threats or force against another individual so as to extract favour or money.

Bribery

* No person shall for their own or another's gain offer money, gifts or favours to any individual of legal authority in the city (such individuals shall include but not be limited to the Duke and the Council of Nobles and Ministers, the Duchy Guard, any Duchy Citizen or the Trinsic Paladins of Honour.

Slander/Libel

* No person shall knowingly and wilfully spread falsehoods in speech or writing about another individual which are intended to defame, discredit, or damage that individual or individuals associated with them in any way.

Perverting the Course of Justice

* No person shall attempt to impinge upon through falsehood or otherwise negatively affect a criminal investigation or trial. This includes assisting those held in custody to escape.

Assault/Conspiracy to Assault

* No person shall commit or conspire to incite/commit an act of sustained and harmful violence against another individual without extreme provocation by being first attacked themselves, or intervening to defend another innocent from attack.

* Assault on another individual’s pet may also be considered grounds for prosecution.

Attempted Murder/ Conspiracy to Murder

* No person shall with pre meditation, attack another individual or conspire to attack or have another attacked, with intent to end their life, unless absolutely necessary as an act of self-defence or to defend another innocent.

Murder/ Conspiracy leading to actual Murder

* No person shall end the life of another individual with violent and unprovoked force, or by any other means, unless absolutely necessary as an act of self-defence or to defend another innocent.

Treason

* No person shall conspire, alone or in league with others, or actively take action, to damage, defame, discredit, remove or overthrow the rightful government of Trinsic, being the Duke and his chosen Council of Nobles.

High Treason

* No person shall conspire, alone or in league with others, or actively take action, to damage, defame, discredit, remove or overthrow the rightful government of Britannia, that being Lord British and his Council.

Trading Laws

All Merchants, tradesmen, crafters and anyone dealing with goods by transporting them from or to The fair Town of Trinsic, can and will be controlled by The Guardsmen of The Duchy of Trinsic for Forbidden Goods.

The following Goods are hereby declared as forbidden and illegal:

- Poison in any form, be it dry or liquid or gaseous
- Magic Weapons and Armour of all kind
- Writings which are targeted against The Realm, The King, or The Duchy
- Slaves
- Weapons, if they exceed the amount of 50 pieces per Trade Caravan
- Objects or supplies thought to be of an unnatural necromantic kind or for such intent (for example: necromantic reagents, books and body parts)

Notes:

* Juka bows, Slayer weapons are not considered illegal. Same goes for all magic ITEMS.
Orc bows and Savage Spears ARE illegal, as are runic weapons

* Merchants can apply for a special Trading Licence to be able to trade Magical weapons, orc bows and Savage Spears in small amounts.

* The merchants have to have a fine reputation (no known penalties against them) and they have to pay once 500 gp to the Trade Minister.

* Under certain circumstances, authorisation may be given for the carrying and dealing of those goods deemed illegal; such authorisation must be acquired from the Trade Minister and authorised by either the Justice, a Magistrate or the Captain of the Guards. A letter of authorisation must be carried at all times with the stated goods else the carrier will be deemed as dealing in, and carrying illegal goods and treated as such.

Sentencing of Crimes under the Common Laws of Trinsic

For the crimes of:

Breach of the Peace and Disorderly Conduct, Theft, Arson, Spying, Supplying Alcoholic Wares and Weaponry to those Underage and breaking of Trading Laws

* Those that commit such a crime, after due warning, will be faced with an on the spot fine of 1000 gold and removed from the city, to be imposed by any authorised member of the Duchy of Trinsic or those appointed as officials by the Duke.

Trading Laws:

All fines are to be paid to the City.

a) Trading in Goods within the City without the appropriate licence:

Fine of 1000 gold plus 500 gold to purchase a licence or confiscation of said goods upon refusal

b) Handling Stolen Goods

Fine of 1000 gold plus confiscation of said goods

c) Dealing in Illegal Goods

Fine of 2000 gold plus confiscation of said goods

d) Smuggling

Fine of 5000 gold plus confiscation of said goods.

For the following crimes:

Perverting the Course of Justice, Blackmail, Slander/Libel, Unlawful Imprisonment, Bribery, Extortion, Kidnapping and Assault on a person's pet

* Where the accused freely confesses or pleads Guilty of his or her crimes, once a report has been filed with all necessary information, they should be referred to the Magistrates, Captains of the Trinsic guards or Officers of the Trinsic Guards for appropriate sentencing.

* For the purposes of sentencing in these cases an officer of the Duchy guard is anyone holding the rank of Sergeant or above.

* Where the accused pleads Not Guilty, Bail can be set by The Duke, The Justice, the Magistrates, Captains of the Trinsic guards or Officers of the Duchy Guards, following the terms outlined below, until the case can be investigated and a trial set.

* Sentencing is to include a fine of 1000 gold per charge and an appropriate level of compensation (decided by the sentencing official) to the victim if needed.

Crimes of a more serious nature:

* Where the accused freely confesses or pleads Guilty to his or her crimes, once a report has been filed with all necessary information, they should be referred to the Justice or in their absence The Duke, or Magistrate for appropriate sentencing.

* Where the accused pleads Not Guilty, Bail can be set where appropriate by The Duke, The Justice or Magistrate, following the terms outlined below, until the case can be investigated and a trial set.

Note:- all Fines are to be paid to the city to cover costs of legal proceedings etc and compensation is to be made in the presence of a duchy official, to the victim or immediate family [spouse or children] of the victim where possible.

Assault/Conspiracy to Assault

Bail to be granted only at the discretion of The Duke, The Justice,, Magistrates or an Officer within the Trinsic Guards.

Public flogging 10 lashes and/or 1 hour in the stocks at the Justice, Magistrate or Duchy Officer’s discretion.
Plus a fine of 2,500 gold to the city
And an appropriate level of compensation to the victim and, if necessary, a banishment from the city, to be determined by the sentencing official, for a period to be determined but not more than 1 week.

Attempted Murder/Conspiracy to Murder

Bail to be granted only at the discretion of The Duke, The Justice or a Magistrate.

Public flogging 15 lashes and/or 1 ½ hours in the stocks at the Justice’s or magistrates discretion
Plus a fine of 5,000 gold to the city
And an appropriate level of compensation to the victim and, if necessary, a banishment from the city, to be determined by the sentencing official, for a period to be determined but not more than 2 weeks

Murder / Conspiracy leading to actual Murder

No bail granted.

Public flogging 20 lashes and/or 2 hours in the stocks at the Justice’s discretion
Plus a fine of 10,000 gold to the city
And an appropriate level of compensation to the victim's dependents, and, if necessary, a banishment from the city, to be determined by the sentencing official, for a period expending to and not limited to permanent.

Treason

Bail can be granted by the Duke, Justice or Magistrate

Public flogging 15 lashes and/or 1 ½ hours in the stocks plus a fine of 5,000 gold and, if necessary, banishment from the city, to be determined by the sentencing official, for a period to be determined but not more than 4 weeks.

High Treason

No bail granted

Public flogging 20 lashes and/or 2 hours in the stocks plus a fine of 10,000 gold and banishment from the city to be determined by the sentencing official, for a period extending to and not limited to permanent.

[OOC Note: All stock times are in REAL time.]

IMPORTANT NOTE:-

Where attacks or raids are made upon the city or guards by a known army, cult or band of brigands/outlaws, the commanding officer or leader of the attack shall be the one detained and the actions of those under their command/leadership shall be seen as their responsibility and the sentencing will reflect this.


Additional Notes:

Those who decide to resist arrest or sentencing will be captured by any means necessary; if they are unfortunately rendered unconscious during this time then they will be conveyed to the jail and cared for, to receive their sentencing upon their awakening.

Resisting Arrest and Withdrawal from Legal Procedures:

If a subject resists arrests by violence, flight or disguise or if a subject refuses to attend legal procedures such as attending trial, presenting themselves for questioning or fulfilling their sentence the following can be ordered by the Duke, the Justice, a Magistrate or an Officer of the Guard Force:

- Immediate arrest and imprisonment by all necessary means
- Public announcement of charges and crimes
- Setting of a sum of gold for the retrieval of the subject in question
- Confiscation of any property to cover the costs of pursuit and capture

In addition, all contracts made between the subject and the Duchy of Trinsic or its representatives are void. All contracts between the subject and a private, lawful person can be made void by decision of the Duke, the Justice or a Magistrate.

Please Note that ALL sentences are Cumulative!

Though maximum fine amount imposed by the court for any one defendant committing multiple crimes will be 20,000 gold


Where there is dispute over charges that have been laid and a trial is to be set then bail can be granted, by the appropriate personnel, on the understanding that the perpetrator must return when requested for questioning and on trial dates.

If a person on Bail commits another crime before the date of the trial then Bail is withdrawn and the person is to be held in custody until the date of the trial.

Breaking terms of Bail forfeits all monies paid and the right to appeal for Bail thereafter.

Bail is set at the following Rates:

For the following charges:

Blackmail, Slander, Unlawful Imprisonment, Bribery, Extortion, Kidnapping, Resisting Arrest, Assault on a person's or pet, Arson, Perverting the course of Justice - 2,000 gold

Assault on a person - 2,500 gold

Attempted Murder - 5,000 gold

For breaking Trading laws (b, c or d) - 1,000, 2,000 or 5,000 gold respectively

Any person on charges for more than one crime will have rate of bail for the individual charges added together to access the Bail amount required. Up to a maximum bail rate of 20,000 gold pieces

All Bail money is returnable if/when terms of Bail have been fulfilled.

If the defendant can not find legal representation they have the right to either:
a) choose to defend themselves
b) a defence counsel elected by the court to defend them

Failure to keep to this time scale without good reason may result in all charges being dismissed.

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