[Below is a discussion of the legal system, as it were, in Greystone, based on this and that. It is not a list of laws and punishments. However, it may be edited or added to in the future to feature one.]
Greystone is not yet a town or official settlement. The law is handled on a case by case basis, drawing from the codes in more established locations like Modesty and Saffingwell. As a result, there is no local sheriff or constabulary, and the jail is intended only to remove dangerous troublemakers from the community until something can be done about them. Prisoners are not provided food unless they pay for it themselves.
The tavern enjoys the protection of swordsfurres to keep the peace, and they back up their authority with the threat of violence.
Within the legal system as a whole we have the concept of "might makes right." The benefit of the doubt goes to those with more wealth, power, or prestige. The story of the local is more likely to be believed than that of a stranger; the story of a noble or established local merchant has more credence than that of a commoner.
Incidents between commoners are to be handled locally. Incidents between nobles are to be handled by the county magistrate, or authority of similar or greater power. Incidents between nobles and commoners are to be handled locally when possible.
The key form of punishment is restitution. In cases of theft, the perpetrator is expected to return what is stolen or pay a fine equivalent to the value of the stolen property should he have 'misplaced' or sold it. In cases of assault, damages are owed to make up for losses in earnings and medical care. Locals who cannot afford an entire fine or repayment may find their punishment supplemented with labour. The severity of some crimes may additionally merit a public flogging.
Furthermore, criminals will be identified to the public and shamed for their actions against the community and the greater good. In theory, these social sanctions are the key deterrent enacted by the system. In some places, this means a stay in the stocks, but Greystone does not feature public stocks. Public notices, or a jaunty parade about town, may suffice instead.
Furres who demonstrate themselves as a threat to the community are likely to be branded. Branded furres who commit a crime are dealt with more harshly should they repeat an offense. Offenses that may merit a branding include grievous assault, treason, and malicious larceny that violates the community as a whole or substantial part.
High crimes such as murder or treason are subject to commensurate punishment, up to and including death by hanging.
As a rule, people should not be detained in the jail unless they are a demonstrable threat to the community or a high risk of skipping out on their debt. Murderers and severe assailants fit this bill. Petty thieves and slanderers do not, unless not well established in the community. However, this is not to say that those in power will not abuse their power.
[OOC NOTES:
If you object to your character's IC punishment, please bring it to our attention. We try to discuss these things with the soldiers, but do not always get a chance to before it is played out ICly.
If you see a strange error in logic or similar in this little treatise, please whisper me or message me on RPR so that I can attend to it.]
Greystone is not yet a town or official settlement. The law is handled on a case by case basis, drawing from the codes in more established locations like Modesty and Saffingwell. As a result, there is no local sheriff or constabulary, and the jail is intended only to remove dangerous troublemakers from the community until something can be done about them. Prisoners are not provided food unless they pay for it themselves.
The tavern enjoys the protection of swordsfurres to keep the peace, and they back up their authority with the threat of violence.
Within the legal system as a whole we have the concept of "might makes right." The benefit of the doubt goes to those with more wealth, power, or prestige. The story of the local is more likely to be believed than that of a stranger; the story of a noble or established local merchant has more credence than that of a commoner.
Incidents between commoners are to be handled locally. Incidents between nobles are to be handled by the county magistrate, or authority of similar or greater power. Incidents between nobles and commoners are to be handled locally when possible.
The key form of punishment is restitution. In cases of theft, the perpetrator is expected to return what is stolen or pay a fine equivalent to the value of the stolen property should he have 'misplaced' or sold it. In cases of assault, damages are owed to make up for losses in earnings and medical care. Locals who cannot afford an entire fine or repayment may find their punishment supplemented with labour. The severity of some crimes may additionally merit a public flogging.
Furthermore, criminals will be identified to the public and shamed for their actions against the community and the greater good. In theory, these social sanctions are the key deterrent enacted by the system. In some places, this means a stay in the stocks, but Greystone does not feature public stocks. Public notices, or a jaunty parade about town, may suffice instead.
Furres who demonstrate themselves as a threat to the community are likely to be branded. Branded furres who commit a crime are dealt with more harshly should they repeat an offense. Offenses that may merit a branding include grievous assault, treason, and malicious larceny that violates the community as a whole or substantial part.
High crimes such as murder or treason are subject to commensurate punishment, up to and including death by hanging.
As a rule, people should not be detained in the jail unless they are a demonstrable threat to the community or a high risk of skipping out on their debt. Murderers and severe assailants fit this bill. Petty thieves and slanderers do not, unless not well established in the community. However, this is not to say that those in power will not abuse their power.
[OOC NOTES:
If you object to your character's IC punishment, please bring it to our attention. We try to discuss these things with the soldiers, but do not always get a chance to before it is played out ICly.
If you see a strange error in logic or similar in this little treatise, please whisper me or message me on RPR so that I can attend to it.]
Moderators: Calliste Ahmose (played by FishyFi) Mikhael Solberg (played by minizeries)