Order of Magistrates

Structure

General

Each major city has a Court that is made up of three Magistrates. The High Magistrate is the presiding officer. They ensure that order and civility are observed and rule on any objections. They are also the highest-ranked magistrate on the court. The second-ranked magistrate is the prosecutor. They call criminals before the court, find evidence of their guilt or innocence, and ask questions of witnesses. The lowest-ranked magistrate is the foreman. Should the defendant be found guilty or liable the foreman decides the punishment. In both civil and criminal cases, all three magistrates have a vote on if the defendant is guilty, liable, or innocent.

Criminal Court

If a crime is reported to the prosecutor they are the ones to review the evidence and decide if formal charges should be filed. If they find there is enough evidence to charge the other two magistrates will be called in and the court will hear the case. The defendant is free to bring legal counsel should they wish but no council is given to any defendants. This is because of the nonadversarial style of the court. The magistrates have no interest in if the defendant is guilty or not they are simply looking for the truth. Once the trial is convened the prosecutor will show any evidence and question any witnesses, then the defendant is free to make arguments before the magistrates. Once all arguments have been heard the magistrates will vote, voting and debate is done in public but without the defendant present. Once a majority vote is reached the defendant is brought back in and told the verdict. If they are found guilty the foreman will issue a punishment that is within the guidelines of the Federal Code Legal.

Civil Court

If an issue arises between two citizens that cannot be handled by themselves they can petition the court to hear their case. All petitions are summited to the court and a majority of the magistrates must agree to hear the case before it can be presented. Once a case has been allowed before the court each side is given time to explain the issue. Once a general explanation has been given the prosecutor will summon any witnesses they see fit. Both sides can recommend witnesses to call and questions to be asked to that witnesses but in the end, it is up to the prosecutor. Once the prosecutor finds that no more useful evidence exists the magistrates will debate the outcome, once more in public. Should they vote that the defendant is liable the foreman will issue a punishment in accordance with the code legal.

Culture

To be a magistrate is a high honor that is given to very few people. Anyone who appears before the court is expected to dress their nicest and conduct themselves as politely as possible. Attorneys who appear before the court are also given a great deal of respect, given how few of them there are. The legal profession within the Federal Republic of the Glimmering Lake is surrounded in prestige, respect, and mystery. Many arguments made before magistrates are based on century old president and arguments. The profession even has a term called the 'Four Rule', the rule is a set of four legal principles that are required to show someone has not committed a crime. The attire, way of speaking, and even how someone is expected to walk around the courtroom are all abnormal to the general citizen. While it is not seen as 'necessary' to give a defendant an attorney, almost all unadvised defendants are found guilty. The prosecutor is generally one of the best studied and skilled attorneys within a city.

Table of Contents

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Current Date -

The Yet Unnamed Year of 1494 ce

To Judge All Crimes

Founding Date

1st of Harvest's Bounty in the Year 0 ce

Type

Court System

Predecessor Organization

• The Glimmer Dynasty

Leader Title

High Magistrate

Parent Organization

Federal Senate

Location

Glimmering City

Related Ethnicities

• Republican