Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26535281-20170916005633

Within the Empire (well most factions in fact) Courts and the proceedings built around them are a big deal and generally the base of the legal system of said faction. The Empire is no different. While some factions live by 'Trial by Jury' and other such concepts the Empire see's it as: "Trial by jury is a privileged not a right." with only some cases receiving such blessing (generally high profile or cases where impartial judgement is necessary for a 'fair' verdict) the Rin don't believe in 'mock' or even 'win less' hearings necessary instead they get a sentence instead of a trial. First the types of trials/hearings:

- Criminal/resolution trials are the most common in the Empire and are merely listing the crimes the individual has committed and the punishment they shall receive, and the sentences length. These trials are used when ever it's pretty clear that a crime was committed (Rin really don't care if you commit a crime for good reasons. A crime is a crime). After this they are then dragged off to a prison of sort awaiting the transfer to the facility or penal colony where they will work out their sentence.

- Hearings are trials used for lesser feuds and disputes hosted by a Arbitrator. Both sides will either plead their case themselves or have hired a defendant before the Arbitrator. Once they have pleaded their case the Arbitrator will either decide on the spot or will deliberate (for more important or major cases the deliberation process can take days to weeks) and will finally summon the parties and announce his decision. His decision is final and is instantly law, to act as if it isn't is a crime in it's self.

- Full Trials are trials for major feuds, high profile cases, or cases that need both a jury, full trial, and time to ask witnesses and so on. Generally they are used when it is unclear which party actually broke the law. These trials are held before a judge and jury with the jury merely being popular opinion and not ultimately deciding the outcome (that is the Judges job). First the defendant and accuser are given time to make their cases, summon witnesses, ask questions, and so on. After this the Jury is given time to deliberate and make a decision which the judge then takes and makes his own decision either on the spot or in a few days.

Now before, after, and in between are many different protocols and, well really 'dogma' for example a criminal is summoned by court and either comes on his/her own free will or is dragged to court by a traho. Generally a traho is pretty much a hired thug given some basic police training and a shock maul and side arm to apprehend those trying to escape justice.

Both sides of a argument and dispute are held under house arrest during the time the trial takes (to limit movement, dealings, and other shady affairs) generally this is enforced by 'Troopers' of the Vigilistum. In any court trial involving voicing one's case or facts a oath of 'truth and honor' is expected to be taken and if it is proved to have been broken can lead to some major punishments.

Imperial Courts also lack some law our modern day courts do for example: Double jeopardy seeing as if it is proven you have committed a crime you are going to pay even if earlier proven innocent (generally the punishment is even more severe then if the individual was found guilty in the first trial)

As can be assumed from all of this Imperial courts tend to be rather 'cold', generally impartial, and in most cases lacking the 'publicity' or 'drama' of our modern day courts as well as lacking many loop holes or ways to get out of paying for a crime (a few do exist for the rich and wealthy though). 