Difference between revisions of "Space Law"

Revision as of 01:20, 9 June 2016

Note: This is a WORK IN PROGRESS. This is the new official space law. All hail.

Space Law is the name given to the set of corporate regulations approved by the NanoTrasen Board of Directors for use on their Space Stations.

They may be modified depending on the station they are being applied to.

This set applies to the NSS Cyberiad.

They apply for all NT employees and authorized visitors of the station. Anyone aboard the station legally is both protected by, and expected to follow, Space Law.

Central Command can authorize pardons for crimes as they see fit.

Great cases of RP may excuse certain crimes. Adminhelp if you wish to intentionally break a law. Just remember, you will get fired for it if you can't cover it up. The threat of a ban still applies.

Interpretation of the Law

A good working knowledge of Space Law is important for any person on the station, in order to ensure stability of the workplace. More in-depth knowledge and interpretative capability of Space Law is required for such positions as the Magistrate, Internal Affairs Agent, Warden, and the Head of Security.

For certain crimes, the intention of the accused is important. The difference between First and Second Degree Murder can be very hard to ascertain, and, when in doubt, you should default to the less serious crime.

An important concept is "stacking". "Stacking" refers to the act of sentencing an individual for the same crime more than once, or sentencing an individual with similar crimes simultaneously (such as Petty Theft and Theft, or Assault and Aggravated Assault). This is expressly forbidden. Only non-similar crimes can be applied in the same sentencing, and the same crime cannot be counted more than once in the same sentence. As such, even if someone steals every single multitool in the station, that is still just Petty Theft. When two similar crimes are present, sentence only the more severe one.

Knowingly aiding a criminal makes you an accomplice. You can, and will, be charged with the same crime(s) as the person you aided.

Brig Procedures

See Legal Standard Operating Procedure.

Special precautions are to be taken aside from Standard Brigging Procedures:

Always ask Vox or Plasmamen prisoners where their Internals Tank is located, if it cannot be found. Do not remove this tank, as it will kill them. In such a case as their clothes have to be changed, expedience is mandatory. Get their internal on as fast as possible.

All Contraband is to be confiscated and placed in Evidence Storage. The same goes for any tools used to hack station property. These are not to be returned.

Always check on the Permabrig, Solitary or Labor Camp if they happen to be occupied. They are notorious for being unsafe.

Legal Representation and Trials

See Legal Standard Operating Procedure.

Prisoners are permitted to seek legal representation. However, Security is under no obligation to provide or allow it.

Internal Affairs Agents, and by extension the Magistrate, exist to serve as a guiding hand and the voice of reason within the judicial process. However, Internal Affairs Agents have zero authority over the Brig, Security personnel, prisoners, or sentencing. Internal Affairs Agents deliberately ignoring this and attempting to throw their weight around can, and should be, duly ignored, if their points are not valid.

If the Internal Affairs Agent continuously acts as a disruptive influence, Security personnel are fully permitted to confiscate their access, remove them from the Brig and bar their future access to it.

In instances where a conflict of opinion arises over the sentence of a prisoner, the following chain should be followed, in order of authority: Magistrate > Captain > Head of Security > Warden > Sec Officer / Detective.

Use of Deadly Force

As a member of the Station's Security force, you are one of the best armed and protected people on the station, equipped with the almost latest in non-lethal detainment technology and weaponry.

It is for this reason that the situations that warrant the use of Deadly Force are few and far between. In the vast majority of cases, you will be expected to use your stun tools, which indeed are many times more effective than lethal options, to diffuse a situation.

However there are certain circumstances where deadly force is permissible:

Non-Lethal Weapons Ineffective - certain targets are impervious to Non-Lethal Weapons, such as Exosuits, Xenomorphs, Cyborgs, and Hulks. Lethal force may be used against these targets if they prove hostile.

Severe Personal Risk - sometimes, getting close enough to a target to cuff them will create significant personal risk to the Officer in question. Deadly force from a range is recommended to subdue Wizards and actively hostile Changelings. Criminals in hostile environments such as space, fire, or plasma leaks also fall into this category, as do criminals believed to be in possession of active high explosives. Ranged lethal force is the only reasonable option in these conditions.

Armed and Dangerous - if a suspect is in possession of weapons, including stun weapons, and you have reasonable suspicion that they will use these against you, lethal force is permitted. However, in the majority of cases, it is still preferable to attempt to detain them non-lethally. Unauthorised personnel in the Armory are considered by default to be Armed and Dangerous. Maximum force is permitted to subdue such targets.

Multiple Hostiles - it can be extremely difficult to detain multiple hostiles. As a last resort, if you are being mobbed, you may deploy your baton in a harmful manner to thin the crowd. Generally it is better to retreat and regroup than to stand your ground.

In general, if it is possible to capture personnel non-lethally, you should. If you do not, expect to have to justify yourself to Internal Affairs to not get fired, and Administrators to not be Jobbanned.

Additional Clarifications

Executions can be done only by Electric Chair, Firing squad, or Lethal injection. Other means of Execution are illegal unless the prisoner requests them. Cyborgification is also a viable option, and should be used if prisoners behave, or if they appeal. See Legal Standard Operating Procedure for more information regarding Executions.

In cases where the final sentence is equal to, or greater than, 60 minutes, it is to be changed to a Permanent Imprisonment sentence.

The greater good of the station should be considered when sentencing. If someone breaks into the AI Core in order to destroy it when it is Malfunctioning, there is no need to charge them. The intent of Space Law is to protect the station and the crew.

Minor Crimes

All of these crimes carry a 5 minute sentence.

Code		Crime	Description	Notes
101	File:Resisting Arrest.PNG	Resisting Arrest	To not cooperate with an officer who attempts a proper arrest.	Follow proper arrest procedure and have a legitimate cause to arrest in the first place before you brig a suspect for this. Suspects who scream bloody murder while being arrested are not cooperating.
104		Drug Possession	To possess space drugs, mindbreaker, ambrosia,krokodil, crank, meth, Aranesp, bath salts, THC, or other narcotics, by unauthorized personnel.	Botanists and MedSci staff are authorized to possess drugs for purposes of their jobs and are not subject to this law so long as they are not distributing or using them for profit or recreation.
106	File:Indecent exposure.png	Indecent Exposure	To be intentionally and publicly unclothed.	Running around the station naked. The mutual degradation of chasing a naked man down while he screams rape is only worth it on slow shifts.
107	File:Vandalism.PNG	Vandalism	To deliberately damage the station or station property without malicious intent.	Sentence depends on quantity of property damaged. Remember Ian and Pun-Pun are station property.
109	File:Trespassing.png	Trespass	To be in an area which a person does not have access to. This counts for general areas of the ship, and trespass in restricted areas is a more serious crime.	Remember that people can either break in, sneak in, or be let in. Always check that the suspect wasn't let in to do a job by someone with access, or were given access on their ID. Trespassing and theft are often committed together; both sentences should be applied.

Medium Crimes

All of these crimes carry a 10 minute sentence or a 500 point target at the Labor Camp, optional for the suspect you are arresting.

Code		Crime	Description	Notes
201	File:Assault.png	Assault	To use excessive physical force against someone without the apparent intent to kill them.	Depending on the amount and kind of force used, severe instances should be elevated to manslaughter or even murder. Assaults with deadly weapons are a higher crime.
202	File:Pickpocketing.png	Robbery	To steal items from another's person.	Remember to take the stolen items from the person and arrange for their return to the owner. Stealing an ID is the most common and most serious form of robbery. If the victim was SSD, ahelp it - this isn't allowed.
203	File:Narcotics Distribution.PNG	Narcotics Distribution	To distribute narcotics and other controlled substances. This includes ambrosia, mindbreaker, and space drugs. It is not illegal for them to be grown - distribution is the crime here.	Forcing or tricking someone to consume substances such as space drugs is assault.
204	File:Deadly Weapon.PNG	Possession of a Weapon	To be in possession of a dangerous item that is not part of their job role.	Items capable of a high level of damage, such as saws, axes, spears, stunprods, and hatchets fit into this category. Do remember that if it is an item that is part of their job they are permitted to carry it.
206	File:Rioting.PNG	Rioting	To partake in an unauthorized and disruptive assembly of crewmen that refuse to disperse.	It is required to order the crowd to disperse, failure to disperse is the crime, not the assembly. Any crimes committed during the riot are considered separate offences.
207	File:Workplace Hazard.PNG	Creating a Workplace Hazard	To endanger the crew or station through negligent or irresponsible, but not deliberately malicious, actions.	Good examples of this crime involves accidentally causing a plasma leak, slipping hazard, accidently electrifying doors, breaking windows to space, or Security personnel not keeping their equipment secure. A banana peel in the corridor is not a hazard. A banana peel in front of the singularity is.
208	File:Petty theft.png	Petty Theft	To take items from areas one does not have authority to access or to take items belonging to others or the station as a whole.	Keeping items which are in short supply where they belong is what is important here. A doctor who takes all the surgical tools and hides them still commits theft, even though he had access.
210	File:BandE.PNG	Breaking and Entry	Forced entry to areas where the subject does not have access to. This counts for general areas, and breaking into restricted areas is a more serious crime.	Crew can still be charged with breaking & entry even if they do not enter the area themselves.
211	File:PENDING	Abuse of Confiscated Equipment	To take and use equipment confiscated as evidence.	Security shouldn't be using evidence for anything but evidence. Anything used in a crime is considered evidence, this includes syndicate items such as emags

Major Crimes

These crimes carry a service at the Labor Camp, with a 1000 point target or a 15 minute brig sentence.

Code		Crime	Description	Notes
301	File:Assault Deadly Weapon.PNG	Assault With a Deadly Weapon	To use physical force, through a deadly weapon, against someone without the apparent intent to kill them.	Any variety of tools, chemicals or even construction materials can inflict serious injury in short order. If the victim was especially brutalized, consider charging them with attempted murder.
302	File:Assaulting an officer.PNG	Assault of an Officer	To use excessive physical force against a Department Head, Magistrate, NT Rep, or member of Security without the apparent intent to kill them.	Criminals who attempt to disarm or grab officers while fleeing from a crime are guilty of this, even if bare handed. Officers should refrain from using lethal means to subdue the criminal where possible.
303	File:Manslaughter.PNG	Manslaughter	To unintentionally kill someone through negligent, but not malicious, actions.	Intent is important. Accidental deaths caused by negligent actions, such as creating workplace hazards (e.g. gas leaks), tampering with equipment, excessive force, and confinement in unsafe conditions are examples of Manslaughter.
304	File:Lethal Weapon.PNG	Possession of a Restricted Weapon	To be in possession of a restricted weapon without prior authorization, such as: Guns, Batons, etc.	Any item that can cause severe bodily harm. The following personnel have unrestricted license to carry weapons and firearms: Captain, HoP, all Security Personnel. The Barman is permitted his double barrel shotgun loaded with beanbag rounds. Only the Captain and Head of Security can issue weapon permits.
305	File:Possession Explosives.PNG	Possession of Explosives	To be in possession of an explosive device.	Scientists and Miners are permitted to possess explosives only whilst transporting them to the mining asteroid, otherwise their experimental bombs must remain within the Science department. This includes offensive grenades, explosive or smoke based.
306	File:Inciting Riot.PNG	Inciting a Riot	To attempt to stir the crew into a riot.	Additionally to the brig time the offender will also have restrictions placed on their radio traffic and be implanted with a tracking implant. For second offences or outright instigating violent uprisings consider charging with Mutiny.
307	File:Disrupting power.png	Sabotage	To hinder the work of the crew or station through malicious actions.	Deliberately releasing N2O, bolting doors, disabling the power network, and constructing barricades are but some of many means of sabotage. For more violent forms, see Grand Sabotage.
308	File:Theft.PNG	Theft	To steal restricted or dangerous items.	Weapons fall into this category, as do valuable items that are in limited supply such as spacesuits, and jetpacks. Note that Cargo breaking open crates to illegally arm and armor themselves are guilty of theft.
309	File:Major Trespass.PNG	Major Trespass	Being in a restricted area without prior authorization. This includes any Security Area, Command area (including EVA), the Engine Room, Atmos, or Toxins Research.	Being in a very high security area, such as the armoury or the Captain's Quarters, is a more serious crime, and warrants a time of 15 minutes with a possible permabrigging if intent is believed to be malicious. This does not stack with B&E of a Restricted Area
310	File:BE Restricted.PNG	B&E of a Restricted Area	This is breaking into any Security area, Command area (Bridge, EVA, Captains Quarters, Teleporter, etc), the Engine Room, Atmos, or Toxins research.	For a major crime, sentences start at 15 minutes, but can be extended if security believes the break-in was for attempted Grand Theft or attempted Grand Sabotage (yellow gloves don't count as grand theft!). This does not stack with Major Trespassing.

Capital Crimes

These crimes can result in Execution, Permanent Prison Time, Permanent Labor Camp Time, or Cyborgization.

Only the Magistrate, Captain, Head of Security, and Warden can authorize a Permanent Sentence.

Only the Magistrate or Captain can authorize an Execution or Forced Cyborgization.

Code		Crime	Description	Notes
401		Murder	To maliciously kill someone.	Punishment should fit the nature of both the crime and the criminal. Murder committed by temporary emotional distress, such as fear or anger, warrants lower punishments. Cyborg candidates must have brains fit to obey relevant laws. Life imprisonment is the most humane option for the insane who might malfunction as cyborgs. Unauthorised executions are classed as Murder.
402	File:Sexual Assault.PNG	Sexual Assault	To molest or otherwise sexually attack someone.	ERP scenes, is a permabannable offense. Adminhelp if this happens to you; it's against server rules, not just station rules.
403		Attempted Murder	To use physical force against a person until that person is in a critical state with the apparent intent to kill them.	Remember, if a person attempts to render first aid after the victim falls into a critical state they may not have intended to kill them.
404	File:Antag skum.png	Enemy of the Corporation	To be legally proven to either be working for a known hostile corporation (ie: Syndicate), or to be working to undermine Nanotrasen's operations. In order to apply for this crime, enough forensic/legal evidence must be provided that the criminal has actually committed a Medium/Major/Capital Crime. Should the suspect be found to have been contracted by an Enemy of Nanotrasen, but to not actually have done anything, they are to be stripped of their rank, have all items confiscated, and be given a tracking implant. Executions done under this law without proper legal/forensic justification are to be considered murder.	Current enemies of Nanotrasen include: The Syndicate (through secret agents, boarding parties, and brainwashing specialists), The Wizard Federation, The Changeling Hivemind, and The Cult of Nar'Sie, Vampires, Shadowlings, and illegal and hostile boarding parties. Shadowling thralls are victims, not enemies. Antagonists that reveal themselves to Security without having committed any crimes are to be kept in Protective Custody (read: kept in Security) until the Crew Transfer, where they are to be brought to Central Command. Antagonists that escape from custody or act hostile in any way are to be apprehended and executed.
406	File:Mutiny.PNG	Mutiny	To act individually, or as a group, to overthrow or subvert the established Chain of Command without lawful and legitimate cause.	Mutiny is not as clear cut as it may seem, there may be a legitimate reason for their actions, such as their head of staff being utterly incompetent. This is one of the few crimes where it is recommended to always seek a third party opinion. If their actions are determined to be for the betterment of Nanotrasen consider a timed sentence or even a full pardon and/or promotion.
407		Grand Sabotage	To engage in maliciously destructive actions, seriously threatening crew or station.	Bombing, arson, releasing viruses, deliberately exposing areas to space, hotwiring the grid so APCs shock people, destroying the AI, physically destroying machinery or electrifying doors all count as Grand Sabotage.
408	File:High value target theft.png	Grand Theft	To steal items of high value or sensitive nature.	Syndicate agents frequently attempt to steal cutting-edge technology, intelligence or research samples, including: Hand Teleporter, the Captain/Head of Security's Antique Laser, Captain or HoP's ID cards, or Mechs.

Modifiers & Special Situations

Situation	Description	Modification
Surrender	Coming to the brig, confessing what you've done and taking the punishment. Getting arrested without a fuss is not surrender. For this, you have to actually come to the brig yourself.	-25%, and should be taken into account when the choice between life in a secure cell, execution, and cyborgization is made.
Re-education	Getting de-converted from revolutionary.	-Immediate release
Cooperation with prosecution or security	Being helpful to the members of security, revealing things during questioning or providing names of head revolutionaries.	-25%; in the case of revealing a head revolutionary: Immediate release.
Immediate threat to the prisoner	The singularity eats something near the brig, an explosion goes off, etc.	Officer must relocate the prisoner(s) to a safe location; otherwise, immediate release.
Medical reasons	Prisoners are entitled to medical attention if sick or injured.	Medical personnel can be called, or the prisoner can be escorted to the Medbay. The timer continues to run during this time.
Self Defense	Self Defense is defined as "The protection of oneself, the protection of thy colleagues, and the protection of thine workplace". Do note however that persons intentionally getting involved in fights which occur in a department that isn't theirs is an act of vigilantism, this is not permitted. Generally this is disarming/pushing. Hitting someone on the ground is generally NEVER self defence.	Immediate release.
Escape from Brig	If a prisoner flees confinement for any reason other than to escape impending lethal danger (fire, hull breach, murder), reset their timer to their full original punishment.	Reset timer
Aiding and Abetting	Knowingly assisting a criminal is a crime. This includes but is not limited to: Interfering with an arrest, stealing a prisoner in transit, breaking a prisoner out of the brig/prison, hiding a fugitive, providing medical care (unless paired with a large dose of sleep toxins).	The same sentence as the original criminal.
Refusal to Cooperate	When already detained inside the Brig, either in Processing or Temporary Detainment and pending a sentence, refusing to cooperate with Security and instead attempting to break free from their cuffs and/or buckling in such a way that the attending Officers must spend more time preventing their escape than they do actually processing the prisoner.	+25% to original sentence. Can bring sentences up to Permanent Imprisonment if the 60 minute threshold is crossed because of it.
Repeat Offender	To be repeatedly brigged for the same offense multiple times in a single shift (minimum of three times. Applies on the third brigging). Much like crime stacking, these offenses cannot occur during the same incident. Does not apply to Resisting Arrest.	For each successive Repeated Incidence, an extra five minutes is added to the sentence. If the added time exceeds the original sentence, the crime should be considered one Level above (ie, Medium Crimes become Major Crimes), and the sentence adjusted. Major Crimes with 15 extra minutes added via this modifier should be considered Capital Crimes, but not punishable by Execution or forced Cyborgization.

Crime Codes Quick Reference

Use this to quickly find the Crime Code Numbers.

Crime codes are made up of a Category Code (_xx), which are a collection of similar crimes on a line for ease of use, prefixed by the Severity Number (X__).

Code	1XX - Minor	2XX - Medium	3XX - Major	4XX - Capital
01	Resisting Arrest	Assault	Assault, Deadly Weapon	Murder
02		Robbery	Assault, Officer	Assault, Sexual
03		Drug Distribution	Manslaughter	Attempted Murder
04	Possession, Drugs	Possession, Weapons	Possession, Restricted Weapons	Enemy of the Corp
05			Possession, Explosives
06	Indecent Exposure	Rioting	Inciting a Riot	Mutiny
07	Vandalism	Workplace Hazard	Sabotage	Grand Sabotage
08		Petty Theft	Theft	Grand Theft
09	Trespass		Major Trespass
10		Breaking and Entry	B&E Restricted

(Courtesy of TG space law, with modifications by Neca, Dave, and Hyperion)