Frontier Justice

All information in the Federal Penal Code section of this guide can be considered in character (IC) knowledge except when written {inside curly brackets.}
- Information written {within square brackets} is out of character (ooc) knowledge, for the player’s benefit only.
Sheriff ordinance may conflict with federal law, but does not supersede it.
Charge scale is up to arresting officer discretion except where otherwise noted.
- Crimes Against Peace Officers will result in maximum charges.
  - This includes law enforcement and judges.
Recidivism: Suspect has an arrest record with 4+ serious felony arrests OR is facing 6+ counts of the same charge in a single arrest.
Life and Death Sentences: Can only be issued by a judge in a federal warrant, and must be upheld in a court of law.
- On issuance of a life or death sentence by a US Marshal:
  - Suspect will be offered Pre Trial Release. If the suspect is not eligible for or declines Pre Trial Release, they will be remanded to Sisika until they request a trial.
- On issuance of a life or death sentence by a Sheriff or Undersheriff:
  - Suspect will be incarcerated at the Sheriff’s Office until trial.
  - The Sheriff’s Office will request trial on behalf of the suspect.
    - Suspects should expect to be contacted by Community Managers for scheduling.
  - Suspects will be transported to trial by US Marshals and released on a not guilty verdict, or in the case of a reduced sentence.
  - Death Sentences may be issued on an Arrest Warrant however require OOC approval from the suspect’s player in their Trial Request Ticket prior to trial.
    - If the player does not consent to a death sentence, judges will issue a life sentence or less if the verdict is guilty.
    - If the player does consent, judges will choose from death, life, or a lower sentence on guilty verdict.
    - Players whose character has been sentenced to death at trial can choose from the following options:
      - Firing Squad: A public event resulting in the execution (permanent death) of the character by firing squad.
      - Non Event Death: The character will be remanded to Sisika after trial, and considered permanently dead once the player logs off. No event will be planned.
Be advised: Lawmen may set bounties on fugitives facing charges in their jurisdiction. Paying bounties does not clear you of charges; it reduces your chances of getting captured.

SAINT DENIS ORDINANCES

In coordination with the State of Lemoyne, the Saint Denis Police Department enforces the following ordinances in addition to the Federal Laws of these lands. Refusal to comply with ordinance or pay citation will result in detainment until compliance and payment are achieved.

Citations: $2.00-$10.00 per charge.

Concealed Carry: Weapons must be carried in hip holster, or stored on horse. Guns too large for hip holster and visible on citizen’s backs will be confiscated in addition to a citation.

Masks and Face Coverings: Facial features including eyes, nose, and mouth should be visible when in the city.

Responsible Horsemanship:

All horses are to be hitched or stabled.
Carriages are never to be left driverless.
A controlled canter is the maximum gait permitted on city streets.
Sidewalks are for people, not horses.

MISDEMEANORS

Fine: $2.00 – $15.00 per charge.

Jail Time: 0 to 10 days per charge.

Disorderly Conduct: Willfully and unlawfully disturbs the peace of another person(s).

Battery: Wanton and unlawful physical contact with another person which is unwelcome. Aggressor does not use a weapon or cause great bodily harm.

Assault: Intentionally commits battery with a weapon in a manner unlikely to cause great bodily harm.

Trespassing: Knowingly enters private property, or remains after instructed to leave by legal property owner.

Pickpocketing: Takes or attempts to take money, property, and/or belongings from the victim’s person without detection or, upon detection, flees the scene.

MINOR FELONIES

Fine: $5.00 to $30.00 per charge.

Jail Time: 0 to 20 days per charge.

Petty Theft: Knowingly and unlawfully takes or destroys money, property, and/or belongings valued under $80 with intent to deprive owner indefinitely.

Bribery: Offers a public servant or official money, services, favors, or gratuities with the intent of personal gain or benefit.

Abduction: Taking away a person by persuasion, by fraud, or by open force or violence.

Aggravated Assault: Intentionally commits battery with a weapon and/or in a manner likely to cause great bodily harm. {If player bounty is ⇐ $500.00 | Aggravated Assault multiplied per $100.00}

Manslaughter: Takes the life of another person without malice or intent, in a fashion that a reasonable person would consider accidental and without carelessness. Not to be applied in cases of self defense where a person uses force to defend themselves, another person, or their property from substantial harm or death.

Mayhem in the Second Degree: Causes injury to another person with malice or intent to cause harm/pain, so as to render them defenseless. E.g. Breaking fingers or toes, dragging victim behind horse, committing Battery while victim is bound.

Fraud: Makes an agreement or presents themselves as someone else with the intent of personal gain or benefit, where a reasonable person would believe them to be a liar or cheater.

Escaping Custody: Leaves legal custody (i.e. you’re detained, cuffed, jailed, or serving a sentence) before sentence is complete. [ Adds 2x multiplier to each charge. May exceed maximum]

Illegal Manufacturing: Possess equipment or material designed for or used in manufacturing an illicit substance (moonshine, snake oil, etc).

Illegal Distribution: Sells or distributes an illicit substance (moonshine, snake oil, etc) for personal benefit or monetary gain.

Robbery: Forcibly takes property from a person or property through physical force or fear of force demonstrated by brandishing a weapon. (Cannot charge both Robbery and Greater/Petty Theft for the same crime.)

Coach Robbery: Commits or attempts to commit Robbery against a horse-drawn transport such as coach, buggy, or carriage.

Arson: Destroys or attempts to destroy any property, structure, or vegetation by means of fire with malice or intent to deprive owner indefinitely.

Voter Fraud: Attempting to cast numerous votes, votes under fake names, votes as a deceased person, buying/bribing citizens to vote in favor of a certain candidate, or voting in a jurisdiction you are not a resident of.

SERIOUS FELONIES

Fine: $25.00 to $100.00 per charge.

Jail Time:

1st Arrest: 10 to 30 days per charge.
2nd Arrest: 20 to 60 days per charge.
3rd Arrest: 30 to 120 days per charge.
1st Degree Murder or Recidivism: 60 to 120 per charge, or Life Sentence.

Greater Theft: Knowingly and unlawfully takes or destroys money, property, and/or belongings valued $80 or greater with intent to deprive owner indefinitely.

Bank Robbery: Commits or attempts to commit Robbery within any bank.

Mayhem in the First Degree: Deliberately and without provocation causes irreparable or egregious injury to another person with malice or intent to cause extreme pain or mutilation, so as to render them defenseless. E.g. Burning, crushing, severing an appendage, purposefully starving, pulling teeth, committing Aggravated Assault while victim is bound.

Theft of Livestock: Unlawfully takes or kills livestock with intent to deprive owner of such stock longer than 15 days.

Murder in the Second Degree: Takes the life of another person without forethought, in which circumstances a reasonable person would believe involved carelessness, or where the accused was overcome by the heat of passion. {If player bounty is >= $500.00 | Murder in 2nd multiplied per $100.00}

Murder in the First Degree: Takes the life of another person with forethought, and in which circumstances a reasonable person would believe involved malice or intention to end life.

Attempted Murder: Attempts to commit Murder in the First Degree but does not succeed in killing the targeted person.

Harboring a Fugitive: Knowingly harbors or assists a fugitive from justice, or knowingly conspires in the commission of a major felony, or helps a fugitive escape lawful incarceration or imprisonment.

Election Tampering: Attempts to change or alter results of an election via Murder, Attempted Murder, Voter intimidation, or other felony acts.

If your character is arrested by a Deputy US Marshal, you will be given the option to serve your sentence in full then and there, or take Pre Trial Release (PTR) instead.

PTR is an agreement that, in exchange for being released from custody, you will request a trial and your character will not (get caught) commit further crimes. This agreement should not be taken lightly!

Pre Trial Release Terms

By accepting PTR, you and your character agree to the following:

You will serve 15 days at the time of arrest. On completion of the 15 days, you will be released to your own recognizance.
1. Own Recognizance means you will not pay any fines, nor be required to post bail, and that you promise to appear before court. Should you be arrested for additional crimes before your court date, you will be found in violation of your pre trial release agreement.
2. PTR is best suited to those who have a sentence longer than 15 days.
3. Pre Trial Release is best suited to those who wish to plead not guilty to some or all of their charges.
4. You can sign up for trial whether you have accepted Pre Trial Release or not.
5. Trial events are posted in the #rdr-court-docket channel in the TRP Discord. RSVP to sign up.
Suspects who fail to request trial, or who are arrested by US Marshals prior to their trial, will be considered in violation of their PTR Agreement won't offered PTR on next arrest. Escaping Custody will be added to their PTR charges (resulting in 2x the time and fines), and all pending sentences will be served at the time of the arrest.

Tips and guidelines for successful trial participation!

Trial Sign Up

Defendants and Plaintiffs can sign up for trial in the #rdr-court-docket channel in the TRP Discord by following the pinned instructions.

Be aware that criminal defendants and Plaintiffs in civil cases are responsible for summonsing the opposing party and failure to do so will result in a mistrial. This means your case will be summarily dismissed and you'll need to reschedule at a future time. If the criminal defendant is on Pre Trial Release, they will remain on Pre Trial Release until such a time as they complete the trial process correctly (or they violate the terms of the PTR Agreement, whichever comes first).

Trial Agenda

1. Introduction of Case and Plea

The court's Justice will identify the Defendant, read the charges against them, and take the Defendant's plea. In cases where a panel of judges is present, this will be done by the lead justice.

2. Opening Arguments

Prosecution and defense will lay out the broad strokes of their case, including exactly what they plan to prove or disprove, the kind of evidence they'll be providing, who they plan to call to the stand, and what they'll be requesting of the court.

3. Evidentiary Presentation: Prosecution

The Prosecution will present all evidence for their case at this time. The Justice(s) may ask any questions they have of the prosecution during this presentation.

4. Evidentiary Presentation: Defense

The Defense will present all evidence for their case at this time. The Justice(s) may ask any questions they have of the defense during this presentation.

5. RECESS

5 to 15 minutes will be granted for recess, at the discretion of the court's Justice.

6. Closing Arguments

Prosecution and defense will recap the arguments they've made, what they've proven or disproven, and what they're asking of the judges (e.g. expungement of record, monetary compensation from the state, a guilty verdict, etc).

7. Deliberation

Optional

In cases where a panel of judges have convened, the Justice(s) will recess to chambers for a 5-20 minute deliberation. A guilty verdict for all sentences less than life in Sisika requires a majority vote. Life and death sentences require unanimous agreement.

8. Verdict

The Justice(s) will render a guilty or innocent verdict on each contested charge, along with an explanation of how they came to their decision. Any changes to sentencing or charges, or judgements regarding compensation/expungement, will also be read at this time.

Trial Outcomes

Guilty Verdict

The criminal defendant will be remanded to custody by US Marshals to serve the remainder of their sentence in either Sisika Penitentiary, or the Sheriff's jurisdiction where their crimes took place.

Not Guilty Verdict

Defendant will be immediately released.
Defense may request that the judge rule on compensation from the federal or local entity which wrongfully charged them.
Defense may request that charges be expunged from the defendant's record.

At this time, judges may also issue sentencing adjustments in such cases where charges are reduced or dropped, while others are upheld.

Preparing Evidence

All evidence should be prepared in such a way that it can be easily shared with the court.
Documentary evidence including images, written testimony, bank receipts, etc is best consolidated in a sharable google doc.
Real evidence such as weapons or items which can be made available for the viewing of all parties should be carried on your person when possible.
- Weapons will need to be surrendered to a Marshal before entering court and will be held by the Bailiff until called for in court.
Direct testimony can be presented as documentary evidence. It's recommended that the testimony is documented and signed by the witness.