IMPERIAL OFFICE OF THE JUSTICIARY

[Werew0lf 24179]

 

Issued and averred by the office of the

LORD JUSTICIAR

 

 

ON THE IMPERIAL TRIALS

 

✷ Trials;

 

The Empire of Man runs on a one tier-system; the existence of a professional, long and bureaucratic court-hearing does not exist. A criminal is generally only brought to trial due to their status allowing it, such as being nobility, or it warrants further care. However, a crime only warrants one trial, and in that one trial, a decision is made.

 

In the Empire of Man, there is no such thing as a court hearing, it is the role of the defendant to prove his innocence, and not the role of the Justiciar to prove them guilty. A defendant, usually a regarded noble or otherwise as this falls in line with the Justiciar, may do this through one trial.

 

If the Lord Marshal is absent for any court martial, he may request the Lord Justiciar to act in his place. 

 

 In this trial, there are only four roles:

 

✢ Lord Justiciar; to hear the defendant, enact the law, and to provide sentencing or clear somebody of crimes considered false. 

✢ Quaestor; to provide all details of investigations, intelligence gathering, or evidence to the justiciar against the defendant.

✢ Defendant; the person accused of the crime, their role is to either admit to their crimes, or to prove their innocence. 

✢ Executioner; it is the role of the executioner to, as by virtue of their name, either maim or execute the defendant at the conclusion of the trial after hearing the justiciar’s verdict.

 

 Those of noble-birth are always able to request trial by combat, but this is for the Lord Justiciar to agree to.

 

✷ Actus reus

 

In order to maintain the Emperor’s peace, the Empire enacts its judgement based on the actions of the criminal itself, and does not care for their excuse, mentality, or otherwise their inability to control their actions, which derives from the fault of the defendant.

 

By virtue of this existence, a criminal can be considered guilty simply by being in presence of, being witnessed in, or having been linked to the crime. To ensure the Emperor’s peace is preserved, there is no leeway, and the threshold for guilt is not high.

 

 

ON THE ROLES AND STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE

 

✠ The Justiciar 

 

The role of the Justiciar is to make rulings on all matters of crimes when in regards to: nobility, state, or crown. This includes, but is not limited to: crimes committed by the high-born or nobility, crimes committed against the state, or crimes committed against the crown. In some ways, the justiciar is the judge, and is trusted by the crown, if not already undertaken as a role by the crown itself, to enact the will of the Emperor and to maintain his peace. 

 

Current: His Imperial Highness, Hadrian Tiberias of the House Horen, Crown Prince of the Empire, Prince of Burgundy, Lord Justiciar, Duke of Grense.

 

♟ Quaestor

 

The role of the Quaestor is to investigate crimes which are of prominence, require investigating, or otherwise. Unlike the guardsmen who deal with matters of volume criminal activity, something that requires no trial, and is usually up to the discretion of the guards themselves, the Quaestor investigates crimes which will be: of state importance, or particular secrecy, or of urgent importance. For example, the investigation of a noble for crimes of treason, the investigation of a noble for crimes of murder, the investigation of a commoner for planning a rebellion or otherwise insults against the crown.

 

It is also their job to discover this and raise it to the Lord Justiciar as soon as possible so that action can be taken. During a trial, which is one occasion, the Quaestor is required to provide all notes from their investigation.

 

Outside of this, the Quaestor is also able to investigate low-volume crime that may not come into notice by the guardsmen. Their role is not to act on it – it is to simply provide the imperial guardsmen the investigation, so that they can continue with their role.

 

However, the Quaestor is able to act on criminals when they are:
 

✢ To cause imminent harm to another.

✢ To cause death to another. 

✢ To cause damage to property. 

 

If a guardsman is already present, the Quaestor has no room to interfere. 

 

♟ Executioner

 

The role of the Executioner is to summarily execute any criminal found to be of guilt by the Lord Justiciar. The method of execution is dependent on the defendant; nobles are offered beheadings, whereas most other criminals of non-noble birth are either hung at the gallows, drowned, or otherwise tortured before execution.

 

On top of this, it is also for the executioner to partake in maiming any criminal if deemed necessary should the death-sentence not be applied. For example, taking off a limb, a tongue, an eye and so on.

 

Usually, the role of the executioner is conducted by a selected Imperial Guardsmen whose secondary role is to act as executioner, or it is conducted by a knight of the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon if they are bestowed the honour to die by a knight’s blade.

 

 

ON RECRUITMENT

 

✠ How do you become a Quaestor?

 

A Quaestor is a role for somebody that holds good investigative qualities, an eye for the finer details that get missed, and the patience to lead an investigation without hindrance. It requires a strong-minded, level-headed individual who is unbiased and holds no personal grievances in the Empire. 

 

In order to become a Quaestor, you must apply with a written letter using the format below, sending it to the Lord Justiciar (@Werew0lf) and then being invited for an interview. If not, you can also join the below discord link and follow the format for the discord.

 

Requirements:

 

✢ To not be aligned with any vassal or levy due to the nature of the role.

✢ To be over the age of sixteen.

✢ To have no other allegiances besides the Emperor.

✢ Be a committed, impartial entity. 

 

Application Form:

1. What is your name?
2. How old are you?
3. Do you have any allegiances besides the Emperor?
4. Are you a part of any household levy, vassal levy, or otherwise in service to any vassal lords or ladies?
5. Please declare any and all friendships, relationships, or otherwise you have with any landed or imperial nobility:
6. Please declare whether or not you are married, or have any children.

 

Discord Link: https://discord.gg/nMbCEKZwUA

 

AVE IMPERIUM!

 

---

 

H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

“Für Gott und Kaiser,”

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Tiberias I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD, 

Emperor of Man, Holy Imperator, King of Burgundy, Seventis, Salvus, Renatus & Oren, 

Duke of Middelan, Helena, Lorraine, Sunholdt and Reutov, Protector of Grense, Protector of the Heartlanders, Patriarch of House Horen & the Tiberian Dynasty, 

Captain-General of the Church, Defender of the Faith.

 

BVRGVNDIA IMPERIVM

 

HIS IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, Hadrian Tiberias of the House Horen, Crown Prince of the Empire,

Prince of Burgundy, Lord Justiciar of the Imperial Privy, Duke of Grense.

 

 ALEA IACTA EST

 

HIS IMPERIAL EXCELLENCY, Ledicort de Senna, Imperial Archchancellor,

Margrave of Mount Santa-Lorina.

 GLORIA DEI