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House Vote: 10-0-0
Senate Vote: 4-0-0
Provide for Judicial Standards and to amend the Constitution.
The people of Democracy Craft, through their elected Representatives in the Congress and the force of law ordained to that Congress by the people through the constitution, do hereby enact the following provisions into law:
1 - Short Title and Enactment
(1) This Act may be cited as the “Judicial Standards Act”.
(2) This Act shall be enacted immediately upon its signage.
2 - Reasons
(1) This Act will form a consolidated law of standards for the judiciary.
(2) This bill has too many working parts to include in what has been removed, changed, added etc. There were minor changes to wording and format which I encourage people to cross check with the constitution and the below acts of congress. Where necessary, use a text comparator as well.
3 - Consolidation
(1) The following will be rescinded:
a. Contempt of Court Act
b. Court Appeals System Act
c. Criminal Jurisdiction Act
d. Judiciary Act
12. Judicial Power
Judicial power is vested in the court.
13. Role of the Federal Court System of Redmont
The Judicial arm of Government, consisting of the District Court, Federal Court, and Supreme Court, interpret the law as written by the legislature and administered by the Executive. Lawsuits can be made to the court as either civil cases (a dispute between two parties, usually seeking compensation) or criminal cases (an appeal to the state against a charge, or a case filed by the state regarding a criminal act. i.e. Citizens cannot prosecute). Where there is a failure to appear, the courts will trial in absentia and will deliver a verdict considering the facts presented to the Court.
DISTRICT COURT
14. Role of the District Court of Redmont
The District Courts of Redmont hear all minor civil and criminal disputes in the first instance. The District Courts are presided over by a single Magistrate under the supervision of a Judge or Justice. Each town or city shall be considered a district and shall have one Magistrate. There shall not be more than one (1) Magistrates on the District Court of Redmont per jurisdiction at any given time.
15. Powers of the District Court
(a) The District Court of Redmont has original jurisdiction over:
(i) arrests
(ii) wrongful seizure
(iii) public official misconduct
(iv) minor criminal prosecutions that result in jail not exceeding 20 minutes or $2500 dollars (inclusive) of fines
(v) minor civil cases whose value does not exceed $20,000 dollars (inclusive).
FEDERAL COURT
16. Role of the Federal Court of Redmont
The Federal Court of Redmont hears all major civil and criminal disputes in the first instance and is the appellate court for verdicts made by the District Courts. The Federal Court is presided over by a single Judge. There shall not be more than three (3) Judges on the Federal Court of Redmont at any given time.
17. Powers of the Federal Court
(a) The Federal Court of Redmont has original jurisdiction over:
(i) Questions of constitutionality
(ii) Major criminal prosecutions that result in jail exceeding 20 minutes or $2500 dollars of fines
(iii) Major civil cases whose value exceeds $20,000 dollars.
(iv) Any cases of significance that do not fit within the established bounds of court jurisdictions.
(b) The Federal Court of Redmont is the appellate court for the District Court of Redmont.
(c) Other powers of the Federal Court of Redmont include:
(i) Issuing warrants
(ii) Ordering a party before the Federal Court to have a lawyer in order to proceed with their case
(iii) Assuming the responsibilities of the District Courts of Redmont when necessary.
SUPREME COURT
18. Role of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Redmont is the highest court in the nation, hearing all final appeals and challenges to removing a public office holder (see s19a(ii)). The Supreme Court is presided over by three Justices. The Supreme Court is chaired by a Chief Justice who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. There shall not be more than three (3) Justices (Chief Justice included) on the Supreme Court of Redmont at any given time. All available Justices preside over Supreme Court cases and form a majority opinion. Any Justices who do not agree with the majority opinion deliver individual or joint dissenting opinions which are published alongside the majority opinion. A minimum of two (2) Justices in agreement must be met to deliver a verdict on a Supreme Court case, and where there is a disagreement, the Chief Justice's opinion will prevail. The decision of the Supreme Court is final - there are no further appeals once a matter has been decided by the Supreme Court and the decision is binding on all other courts. A party can appeal a Supreme Court decision based on a point of law or if a significant amount of new evidence is made available. The appeal must convince the Court that the Justices that heard the original case made an error of law and that the error was of such significance that the decision should be overturned. Some examples of significant errors of law are that the Judge that heard the original case:
19. Powers of the Supreme Court
(a) The Supreme Court of Redmont has original jurisdiction over:
(i) Removal of officials from Public Office (Judicial Officers, Members of Congress, Members of Cabinet)
(ii) Resolving disputes between Government Institutions
(b) The Supreme Court of Redmont is the appellate court for the Federal Court of Redmont.
(c) Other powers of the Supreme Court of Redmont include:
(i) Ordering a party before the Supreme Court to have a lawyer in order to proceed with their case
(ii) Assuming the responsibilities of the District Courts of Redmont and Federal Court of Redmont when necessary.
20. Judicial Officers
Judicial Officers is the collective name given to Magistrates, Judges, Justices, and the Chief Justice. Judicial Officers are responsible for presiding over and delivering non-biased verdicts on all lawsuits. Judicial Officers can rule on their Court, or on lower courts if required. Judicial Officers cannot preside over an appeal that they have already ruled on previously in a lower court. Magistrates are to be appointed by the Supreme Court to serve on the District Court. Federal Court Judges, Supreme Court Justices, and the Chief Justice are to be nominated by the President and approved by the Senate. Where there is no Chief Justice, the most senior Justice is Chief Justice by default until otherwise provided. Judicial Requirements The following requirements exist in order to be nominated to the bench: Chief Justice - has accrued 150 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days Justice - has accrued 125 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days Judge - has accrued 72 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days If there are no Justices on the Supreme Court, the President shall have one week to nominate a Justice or Chief Justice.
13 - Standards of Proof
(1) The following shall apply:
a. Balance of Probabilities - Required in civil actions.
b. Probable Cause - Required for a warrant.
c. Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt - Required in criminal prosecutions.
14 - Burden of Proof
The onus of the burden of proof is on the Prosecution.
15 - State Legal Representation
The Commonwealth may appoint a prosecutor to represent the state in court in lieu of the Attorney General.
16 - Recusal
(1) Judicial disqualification, also referred to as recusal, is the act of abstaining from participation in a case due to a conflict of interest.
(2) A motion to recuse can be filed at any point in a case prior to the verdict. A Judge must consider whether or not to voluntarily recuse themselves.
(3) Where a judge does not voluntarily recuse, a second Judge will respond to the motion and either accept or deny it. In the instance the judge accepts the motion, that judge will then preside over the case.
(4) Conflict of interest may involve:
a. Bias/appearance of bias.
b. Interest.
c. Ex Parte Communications.
d. Breach of Judicial Conduct.
e. Prior Work as a Lawyer for either party.
17 - Warrants
(1) The court may issue warrants - court orders that allow actions that would otherwise be unlawful - for the following:
a. Search - Expresses permission for a Police Officer, accompanied or unaccompanied, to enter private property in order to search for evidence or contraband. Staff will be required to assist with searching chests, however the Officer will not have direct access.
b. Asset Seizure - to seize assets when an individual does not have sufficient monetary funds to pay a court order or unsettled fines. The unpaid fines must have been standing for at least 2 months and can be seen in the DoJ #fines channel. A DoJ employee must also /mail the person about their fines at least three days prior to requesting an asset seizure warrant.
c. Arrest Warrant - for entering private property to arrest a wanted individual.
(2) The Debtor must be given a 5-day notice by the Department of Justice. The Debtor must be informed that they provide the outstanding money needed to pay off their debt within a period of 5 days or assets will be seized to cover their outstanding debt.
18 - Injunctions
(1) The courts may issue injunctions - orders that compel a party in a case to do something or to refrain from doing something - for the following:
a. Permanent - Permanent injunctions aim to enforce the rights of others.
b. Emergency - Injunctions that are issued before the court has tried a case to prevent harm. If the applicant fails to file a lawsuit within 4 hours of requesting an emergency injunction the order will be null and void.
(2) Abuse of this type of order results in civil liability for seven fold the actual damages.
19 - Writs
(1) The courts may issue writs - a written command in the name of a court to act, or abstain from acting, in a particular way - for the following:
a. Writ of Mandamus - Orders the government or a government agency to do or to refrain from doing something as is their duty under the law.
b. Quo Warranto - Orders the government or a government agency to appear before the court to establish its authority to do something.
20 - Appeals
(1) Once a court case is adjourned, either party may request to appeal the decision by filing an appeal in the court of the next tier. Once a case has been decided by the Supreme Court, it cannot be appealed.
(2) Requirements:--
- Less than one month has elapsed since the court’s decision;
- the appeal follows a format laid out by the courts in a thread that will be authored upon this bill’s passage; and
- the appeal is not made just for the sake of appealing.
21 - Appeal Response
(1) In the event that the appeal request is accepted by the court, a new trial will occur.
(2) In the event that this is an appeal of an appealed decision and there are only two sitting judges, the Speaker of Congress will also preside.
22 - Appeal Outcome
(1) In the event the court’s original decision was overturned, one of two events will occur.
a. If the plaintiff had originally won the case and the defendant was charged with compensatory actions, the defendant will be fully refunded by the plaintiff.
b. If the defendant had originally won the case, the court will decide compensatory actions for the plaintiff to receive.
(2) In the event the court did not overturn their decision, all court orders from the original case remain standing.
23 - Supreme Court Appeals
(1) A party can appeal based on a point of law. The appeal must convince the Court that the Justices that heard the original case made an error of law and that the error was of such significance that the decision should be overturned.
(a) Some examples of significant errors of law are that the Judge that heard the original case:
(1) Where there is a continued threat to player safety or enjoyment due to the commission of crime, the prosecuting authority can impose punishment prior to a trial.
a. Where an individual is found guilty at trial, any punishment already undertaken will be deemed spent.
b. Where an individual is found innocent at trial, they shall be compensated up to $50 per minute spent in jail for offences found unproven, alongside a reimbursement of any fine paid for unproven offences.
25 - Trials
(1) For a criminal trial to take place -
a. The prosecuting authority must be represented by a prosecutor.
i. The defendant may have representation or have declared they are representing themselves.
ii. If the defendant is eligible for a Public Defender, the Court must allow reasonable time for the defendant to source legal counsel.
26 - Court Clerk
(1) The Supreme Court may appoint an unlimited amount of Court Clerks to assist the duties of the courts
(2) These Court Clerks will serve at the pleasure of the Supreme Court and can be removed at any time. In Addition, Congress may at any time remove any Court Clerk via the regular legislative process if they believe such a Court Clerk has interfered with the functions of the branch.
(3) Court Clerk is not considered or classified as Judicial Officers.
(4) Court Clerks may receive a salary decided by law outside of the Constitution.
27 - External Assistance Creation
(1) Any Magistrate, Judge, or Justice, may request and order external assistance from the following Departments:
a. The Department of Justice, to issue fines and assist in the security of any in-game court proceeding.
b. The Department of Public Affairs, to sanction in-game trials as events if necessary.
c. The Department of Health, to assist in the on-site crisis-management of any sort of infectious disease spread during an in-game court proceeding.
d. The Department of Construction and Transport, to issue repairs and or changes that are necessary for the efficient running of the courthouse.
(2) In addition, the following temporary positions may be established during in-game court proceedings:
(a) Bailiff, utilizing a police officer from the Department of Homeland Security
(i) The Chief Justice shall decide the payment for Bailiffs, and this shall be paid from the Judiciary budget.
(b) Stenographer, utilizing a Court Clerk or temporarily appointing any player who is available at that time.
(i) The Chief Justice shall decide the payment for Stenographers, and this shall be paid from the Judiciary budget.
(3) Bailiff and Stenographer pay shall be managed by the Judiciary after the court proceeding.
28 - Duty to Disclose
(1) In the event of any court case, criminal or otherwise, both sides are required to present any exculpatory evidence to the opposing counsel
(2) Failure to do such may be used as a reason for an appeal
(3) A violation of the duty to disclose shall constitute as an offense:
(a) Definition: Failing to disclose exculpatory evidence to an opposing counsel relating to a court case that the violator is either a plaintiff, defendant, or counsel in, that was either personally viewed or received
(b) Classification: Summary Criminal Offense
(c) Per Offense:
(i) First Offense: $2,000 Fine
(ii) Second Offense: $5,000 Fine
(iii) Third Offense and Beyond: $6,000 Fine + 5 Minutes Jail
29 - Ex Parte Communication
(1) Direct or indirect communication about a specific case with the presiding officer that is presiding over that case that the citizen in question is either the plaintiff, defendant, or counsel in without the knowledge of all parties (Plaintiff,defendant, counsel) in the case is forbidden
(2) Failure to do such may be used as a reason for a recusal, and if the case has already been ruled on, an appeal
(3) An Ex Parte Communication shall constitute as an offense:
(a) Definition: Making direct or indirect communication about a specific case with the presiding officer that is presiding over that case that the violator is either a plaintiff, defendant, or counsel in without the knowledge of all parties (Plaintiff, defendant, counsel) in the case
(b) Classification: Summary Criminal Offense
(c) Per Offense:
(i) First Offense: $2,000 Fine
(ii) Second Offense: $5,000 Fine
(iii) Third Offense: $6,000 Fine +5 Minutes Jail
30 - Case Commission
(1) Case commissions shall be managed by the Judiciary and shall be granted at the following rates for the duration of each case they are presiding over:
(2) Justice: $30 per day;
(3) Judge: $25 per day;
(4) Magistrate: $20 per day;
(5) Payments shall be made according to the time zone of the individual dispensing the funds.
(6) Payments shall be made following a case adjournment.
Senate Vote: 4-0-0
A
BILL
To
BILL
To
Provide for Judicial Standards and to amend the Constitution.
The people of Democracy Craft, through their elected Representatives in the Congress and the force of law ordained to that Congress by the people through the constitution, do hereby enact the following provisions into law:
1 - Short Title and Enactment
(1) This Act may be cited as the “Judicial Standards Act”.
(2) This Act shall be enacted immediately upon its signage.
2 - Reasons
(1) This Act will form a consolidated law of standards for the judiciary.
(2) This bill has too many working parts to include in what has been removed, changed, added etc. There were minor changes to wording and format which I encourage people to cross check with the constitution and the below acts of congress. Where necessary, use a text comparator as well.
3 - Consolidation
(1) The following will be rescinded:
a. Contempt of Court Act
b. Court Appeals System Act
c. Criminal Jurisdiction Act
d. Judiciary Act
12. Judicial Power
Judicial power is vested in the court.
13. Role of the Federal Court System of Redmont
The Judicial arm of Government, consisting of the District Court, Federal Court, and Supreme Court, interpret the law as written by the legislature and administered by the Executive. Lawsuits can be made to the court as either civil cases (a dispute between two parties, usually seeking compensation) or criminal cases (an appeal to the state against a charge, or a case filed by the state regarding a criminal act. i.e. Citizens cannot prosecute). Where there is a failure to appear, the courts will trial in absentia and will deliver a verdict considering the facts presented to the Court.
DISTRICT COURT
14. Role of the District Court of Redmont
The District Courts of Redmont hear all minor civil and criminal disputes in the first instance. The District Courts are presided over by a single Magistrate under the supervision of a Judge or Justice. Each town or city shall be considered a district and shall have one Magistrate. There shall not be more than one (1) Magistrates on the District Court of Redmont per jurisdiction at any given time.
15. Powers of the District Court
(a) The District Court of Redmont has original jurisdiction over:
(i) arrests
(ii) wrongful seizure
(iii) public official misconduct
(iv) minor criminal prosecutions that result in jail not exceeding 20 minutes or $2500 dollars (inclusive) of fines
(v) minor civil cases whose value does not exceed $20,000 dollars (inclusive).
FEDERAL COURT
16. Role of the Federal Court of Redmont
The Federal Court of Redmont hears all major civil and criminal disputes in the first instance and is the appellate court for verdicts made by the District Courts. The Federal Court is presided over by a single Judge. There shall not be more than three (3) Judges on the Federal Court of Redmont at any given time.
17. Powers of the Federal Court
(a) The Federal Court of Redmont has original jurisdiction over:
(i) Questions of constitutionality
(ii) Major criminal prosecutions that result in jail exceeding 20 minutes or $2500 dollars of fines
(iii) Major civil cases whose value exceeds $20,000 dollars.
(iv) Any cases of significance that do not fit within the established bounds of court jurisdictions.
(b) The Federal Court of Redmont is the appellate court for the District Court of Redmont.
(c) Other powers of the Federal Court of Redmont include:
(i) Issuing warrants
(ii) Ordering a party before the Federal Court to have a lawyer in order to proceed with their case
(iii) Assuming the responsibilities of the District Courts of Redmont when necessary.
SUPREME COURT
18. Role of the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Redmont is the highest court in the nation, hearing all final appeals and challenges to removing a public office holder (see s19a(ii)). The Supreme Court is presided over by three Justices. The Supreme Court is chaired by a Chief Justice who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. There shall not be more than three (3) Justices (Chief Justice included) on the Supreme Court of Redmont at any given time. All available Justices preside over Supreme Court cases and form a majority opinion. Any Justices who do not agree with the majority opinion deliver individual or joint dissenting opinions which are published alongside the majority opinion. A minimum of two (2) Justices in agreement must be met to deliver a verdict on a Supreme Court case, and where there is a disagreement, the Chief Justice's opinion will prevail. The decision of the Supreme Court is final - there are no further appeals once a matter has been decided by the Supreme Court and the decision is binding on all other courts. A party can appeal a Supreme Court decision based on a point of law or if a significant amount of new evidence is made available. The appeal must convince the Court that the Justices that heard the original case made an error of law and that the error was of such significance that the decision should be overturned. Some examples of significant errors of law are that the Judge that heard the original case:
- applied an incorrect principle of law; or
- made a finding of fact or facts on an important issue which could not be supported by the evidence.
19. Powers of the Supreme Court
(a) The Supreme Court of Redmont has original jurisdiction over:
(i) Removal of officials from Public Office (Judicial Officers, Members of Congress, Members of Cabinet)
(ii) Resolving disputes between Government Institutions
(b) The Supreme Court of Redmont is the appellate court for the Federal Court of Redmont.
(c) Other powers of the Supreme Court of Redmont include:
(i) Ordering a party before the Supreme Court to have a lawyer in order to proceed with their case
(ii) Assuming the responsibilities of the District Courts of Redmont and Federal Court of Redmont when necessary.
20. Judicial Officers
Judicial Officers is the collective name given to Magistrates, Judges, Justices, and the Chief Justice. Judicial Officers are responsible for presiding over and delivering non-biased verdicts on all lawsuits. Judicial Officers can rule on their Court, or on lower courts if required. Judicial Officers cannot preside over an appeal that they have already ruled on previously in a lower court. Magistrates are to be appointed by the Supreme Court to serve on the District Court. Federal Court Judges, Supreme Court Justices, and the Chief Justice are to be nominated by the President and approved by the Senate. Where there is no Chief Justice, the most senior Justice is Chief Justice by default until otherwise provided. Judicial Requirements The following requirements exist in order to be nominated to the bench: Chief Justice - has accrued 150 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days Justice - has accrued 125 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days Judge - has accrued 72 hours and 12 hours of playtime in the last 30 days If there are no Justices on the Supreme Court, the President shall have one week to nominate a Justice or Chief Justice.
13 - Standards of Proof
(1) The following shall apply:
a. Balance of Probabilities - Required in civil actions.
b. Probable Cause - Required for a warrant.
c. Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt - Required in criminal prosecutions.
14 - Burden of Proof
The onus of the burden of proof is on the Prosecution.
15 - State Legal Representation
The Commonwealth may appoint a prosecutor to represent the state in court in lieu of the Attorney General.
16 - Recusal
(1) Judicial disqualification, also referred to as recusal, is the act of abstaining from participation in a case due to a conflict of interest.
(2) A motion to recuse can be filed at any point in a case prior to the verdict. A Judge must consider whether or not to voluntarily recuse themselves.
(3) Where a judge does not voluntarily recuse, a second Judge will respond to the motion and either accept or deny it. In the instance the judge accepts the motion, that judge will then preside over the case.
(4) Conflict of interest may involve:
a. Bias/appearance of bias.
b. Interest.
c. Ex Parte Communications.
d. Breach of Judicial Conduct.
e. Prior Work as a Lawyer for either party.
17 - Warrants
(1) The court may issue warrants - court orders that allow actions that would otherwise be unlawful - for the following:
a. Search - Expresses permission for a Police Officer, accompanied or unaccompanied, to enter private property in order to search for evidence or contraband. Staff will be required to assist with searching chests, however the Officer will not have direct access.
b. Asset Seizure - to seize assets when an individual does not have sufficient monetary funds to pay a court order or unsettled fines. The unpaid fines must have been standing for at least 2 months and can be seen in the DoJ #fines channel. A DoJ employee must also /mail the person about their fines at least three days prior to requesting an asset seizure warrant.
c. Arrest Warrant - for entering private property to arrest a wanted individual.
(2) The Debtor must be given a 5-day notice by the Department of Justice. The Debtor must be informed that they provide the outstanding money needed to pay off their debt within a period of 5 days or assets will be seized to cover their outstanding debt.
18 - Injunctions
(1) The courts may issue injunctions - orders that compel a party in a case to do something or to refrain from doing something - for the following:
a. Permanent - Permanent injunctions aim to enforce the rights of others.
b. Emergency - Injunctions that are issued before the court has tried a case to prevent harm. If the applicant fails to file a lawsuit within 4 hours of requesting an emergency injunction the order will be null and void.
(2) Abuse of this type of order results in civil liability for seven fold the actual damages.
19 - Writs
(1) The courts may issue writs - a written command in the name of a court to act, or abstain from acting, in a particular way - for the following:
a. Writ of Mandamus - Orders the government or a government agency to do or to refrain from doing something as is their duty under the law.
b. Quo Warranto - Orders the government or a government agency to appear before the court to establish its authority to do something.
20 - Appeals
(1) Once a court case is adjourned, either party may request to appeal the decision by filing an appeal in the court of the next tier. Once a case has been decided by the Supreme Court, it cannot be appealed.
(2) Requirements:--
- Less than one month has elapsed since the court’s decision;
- the appeal follows a format laid out by the courts in a thread that will be authored upon this bill’s passage; and
- the appeal is not made just for the sake of appealing.
21 - Appeal Response
(1) In the event that the appeal request is accepted by the court, a new trial will occur.
(2) In the event that this is an appeal of an appealed decision and there are only two sitting judges, the Speaker of Congress will also preside.
22 - Appeal Outcome
(1) In the event the court’s original decision was overturned, one of two events will occur.
a. If the plaintiff had originally won the case and the defendant was charged with compensatory actions, the defendant will be fully refunded by the plaintiff.
b. If the defendant had originally won the case, the court will decide compensatory actions for the plaintiff to receive.
(2) In the event the court did not overturn their decision, all court orders from the original case remain standing.
23 - Supreme Court Appeals
(1) A party can appeal based on a point of law. The appeal must convince the Court that the Justices that heard the original case made an error of law and that the error was of such significance that the decision should be overturned.
(a) Some examples of significant errors of law are that the Judge that heard the original case:
- applied an incorrect principle of law; or
- made a finding of fact or facts on an important issue which could not be supported by the evidence.
(1) Where there is a continued threat to player safety or enjoyment due to the commission of crime, the prosecuting authority can impose punishment prior to a trial.
a. Where an individual is found guilty at trial, any punishment already undertaken will be deemed spent.
b. Where an individual is found innocent at trial, they shall be compensated up to $50 per minute spent in jail for offences found unproven, alongside a reimbursement of any fine paid for unproven offences.
25 - Trials
(1) For a criminal trial to take place -
a. The prosecuting authority must be represented by a prosecutor.
i. The defendant may have representation or have declared they are representing themselves.
ii. If the defendant is eligible for a Public Defender, the Court must allow reasonable time for the defendant to source legal counsel.
26 - Court Clerk
(1) The Supreme Court may appoint an unlimited amount of Court Clerks to assist the duties of the courts
(2) These Court Clerks will serve at the pleasure of the Supreme Court and can be removed at any time. In Addition, Congress may at any time remove any Court Clerk via the regular legislative process if they believe such a Court Clerk has interfered with the functions of the branch.
(3) Court Clerk is not considered or classified as Judicial Officers.
(4) Court Clerks may receive a salary decided by law outside of the Constitution.
27 - External Assistance Creation
(1) Any Magistrate, Judge, or Justice, may request and order external assistance from the following Departments:
a. The Department of Justice, to issue fines and assist in the security of any in-game court proceeding.
b. The Department of Public Affairs, to sanction in-game trials as events if necessary.
c. The Department of Health, to assist in the on-site crisis-management of any sort of infectious disease spread during an in-game court proceeding.
d. The Department of Construction and Transport, to issue repairs and or changes that are necessary for the efficient running of the courthouse.
(2) In addition, the following temporary positions may be established during in-game court proceedings:
(a) Bailiff, utilizing a police officer from the Department of Homeland Security
(i) The Chief Justice shall decide the payment for Bailiffs, and this shall be paid from the Judiciary budget.
(b) Stenographer, utilizing a Court Clerk or temporarily appointing any player who is available at that time.
(i) The Chief Justice shall decide the payment for Stenographers, and this shall be paid from the Judiciary budget.
(3) Bailiff and Stenographer pay shall be managed by the Judiciary after the court proceeding.
28 - Duty to Disclose
(1) In the event of any court case, criminal or otherwise, both sides are required to present any exculpatory evidence to the opposing counsel
(2) Failure to do such may be used as a reason for an appeal
(3) A violation of the duty to disclose shall constitute as an offense:
(a) Definition: Failing to disclose exculpatory evidence to an opposing counsel relating to a court case that the violator is either a plaintiff, defendant, or counsel in, that was either personally viewed or received
(b) Classification: Summary Criminal Offense
(c) Per Offense:
(i) First Offense: $2,000 Fine
(ii) Second Offense: $5,000 Fine
(iii) Third Offense and Beyond: $6,000 Fine + 5 Minutes Jail
29 - Ex Parte Communication
(1) Direct or indirect communication about a specific case with the presiding officer that is presiding over that case that the citizen in question is either the plaintiff, defendant, or counsel in without the knowledge of all parties (Plaintiff,defendant, counsel) in the case is forbidden
(2) Failure to do such may be used as a reason for a recusal, and if the case has already been ruled on, an appeal
(3) An Ex Parte Communication shall constitute as an offense:
(a) Definition: Making direct or indirect communication about a specific case with the presiding officer that is presiding over that case that the violator is either a plaintiff, defendant, or counsel in without the knowledge of all parties (Plaintiff, defendant, counsel) in the case
(b) Classification: Summary Criminal Offense
(c) Per Offense:
(i) First Offense: $2,000 Fine
(ii) Second Offense: $5,000 Fine
(iii) Third Offense: $6,000 Fine +5 Minutes Jail
30 - Case Commission
(1) Case commissions shall be managed by the Judiciary and shall be granted at the following rates for the duration of each case they are presiding over:
(2) Justice: $30 per day;
(3) Judge: $25 per day;
(4) Magistrate: $20 per day;
(5) Payments shall be made according to the time zone of the individual dispensing the funds.
(6) Payments shall be made following a case adjournment.
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