THE IMPERIAL JUSTICIARY

[trinn 5128]

 

 

 

Issued and averred by the office of the

IMPERIAL JUSTICIAR

 

 

THE OFFICE OF THE IMPERIAL JUSTICIAR:

 

✦ • ───────────────────────────── • ✠ • ───────────────────────────── • ✦

ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇꜱꜱ-ᴊᴜꜱᴛɪᴄɪᴀʀ,

ᴊᴏᴀɴ ᴍᴀʀɪᴀɴᴀ ᴏꜰ ʜᴏᴜꜱᴇ ʜᴏʀᴇɴ, ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇꜱꜱ ᴏꜰ ʙᴜʀɢᴜɴᴅʏ.

 

Averred the responsibility over matters pertaining to civil and criminal law within the borders of the Empire, the office of the Imperial Justiciar arbitrates disputes in the Emperor’s name as it pertains to offences against the State and Crown. For this, matters of the Lex Publica–Offences Against the State Act, fall under the purview of the Justiciar. Therefore, it is charged to the Justiciar to establish courts and regulate legal procedures which both maintain as well as enforces the Emperor’s justice. 

 

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: Her Imperial Highness, Joan Mariana of the House Horen, Princess-Justiciar, Deputy Emissary, and Duchess of Helena. 

 

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.

 

 

 ✷ Trial by Combat:

 

The Right of Duel – The birth of this Imperium of man came amidst blood and grit, borne from its people the knowledge that a greater truth may be revealed through trials of might. Therefore, its Noble Peers and Imperial Knights are granted the privilege to defend their dignity by strength of arms, harkening a trial by combat in lieu of a standard trial. Nonetheless, this remains a privilege rather than a right; the final decision remains solely within the purview of the Imperial Justiciar.  

 

The Forced Duel – The Imperial Justiciar may, as well, grant or enforce the task of a forced duel. A forced duel may be levied against both noble and common denizens alike, and does not require the consent of both parties so long as it is authorized from the Office of the Justiciar.  

 

The Duel of Six – An alternative form of a Trial by Combat, a duel of ‘Six’ can be requested in honor of the Three Exalted and the Three Scrolls. The two disputing parties must meet at their designated date, and must muster amongst themselves five compatriots for their respective causes. Should a party, upon the agreed upon date, lack from six in their respective side, the party with full numbers shall be considered victorious. 

 

 

✷ 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 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.

 

 

 

 

 

THE  INQUISITION:

 

✦ • ───────────────────────────── • ✠ • ───────────────────────────── • ✦

 

ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴀɴᴅ ɪɴQᴜɪꜱɪᴛᴏʀ,

ꜱɪʀ ᴀɴᴛᴏɴɪᴜꜱ ʜᴇʟᴀɴᴇ, ᴄᴏᴜɴᴛ ᴏꜰ ᴠᴀʟᴍᴏɴᴛ.

 

The Imperial office of the Inquisition is a subdivision to the Office of the Justiciar, charged to investigate and enforce the Imperium’s will over matters of esoteric nature amidst its lands. Agents of the Inquisition are tasked to combat these incursions, battling suspicions of Daemonic influences through both discreet and overt deeds. To be lead by the Grand Inquisitor, who serve beneath the office of the Justiciar, the Inquisitors are delegated the authority to oversee matters pertaining to the Lex Tiberi–on magic, race and the devilkind. 

 

Agents of the Inquisition must demonstrate an advanced knowledge and capability in dealing with all Maleficar, including the aptitude of extracting information from sources both  mundane and esoteric. In matters of great suspicion as pertains to the Crown of Man and its Noble peers, the High Inquisitor is tasked to report to the Justiciar to issue summons; that in matters of more civil and militant disputes, they may entrust the issue internally or through the office of the Lord Marshal.  Nonetheless, these men and women hold authority over matters of Maleficar and supersede the Militus when in disagreement with those of “equivalent-level” within the Militus.

 

 

 

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. To be a Quaester is to serve as the legal arm of the Crown of Man, ensuring that the Emperor’s word is retained and enforced by both nobility and commoner alike.

 

In order to become a Quaestor, you must apply with a written letter, sending it to the Princess-Justiciar, Joan Mariana Horen, and then being invited for an interview. 

 

✠ How do you become an Inquisitor?

 

An Inquisitor is a role for those who wish to combat the anathema which incurs itself upon the Imperium, desiring men and women who find themselves impervious to the dangers of the dark. It demands those which may act with discretion and extreme caution, as well as a demonstrable knowledge and capability against Maleficar. 

 

In order to become an Inquisitor, you must apply with a written letter, sending it to the Grand Inquisitor, Ser Antonius Helane, and then being invited for an interview.

 

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, Hadrian I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD, 

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

Duke of Middelan, Helena, Lorraine, Sunholdt and Reutov, Baron of Pestilles, 

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 EXCELLENCY, Ledicort de Senna, Imperial Archchancellor.

 

 

 

HER IMPERIAL HIGHNESS, Joan Mariana Horen, Imperial Princess of Man,

Princess-Justiciar of the Imperial Privy, Duchess of Helena, and Deputy Emissary of the Provinces.

 

 

 

[Navigator 4260]

Nafis passed along the missive to his siblings, while getting ready to write a letter to Sir Antonius himself!

[kuerbis 3802]

"Oooh you did so well, Joanie," cooed Valentiná upon receiving the missive.

[MRCHENN 4741]

“You must get rid of that awful haircut. Go to Reinmar, the Barclays are notoriously known for giving good fades.”

 

Simon Pruvia remarks to his trusted friend, Sir Antonius. @woke

[woke 1157]

9 minutes ago, MRCHENN said:

“You must get rid of that awful haircut. Go to Reinmar, the Barclays are notoriously known for giving good fades.”

 

Simon Pruvia remarks to his trusted friend, Sir Antonius. @woke

"No," Sir Antonius replied, his hand passing through the lustrous fall of his silken bob.

[Morigung-oog 5697]

12 minutes ago, MRCHENN said:

“You must get rid of that awful haircut. Go to Reinmar, the Barclays are notoriously known for giving good fades.”

 

Simon Pruvia remarks to his trusted friend, Sir Antonius. @woke

A fellow trusted associate of the High Inquisitor nods along  in agreement with the Dragon Knight.