3. Peltarch government and court structure

Peltarch government and court structure


  • PELTARCH GOVERNMENT AND COURT STRUCTURE

    I. An Explanation of the Different Government Departments

    Entries in blue indicate an NPC.
    Entries in brown indicate an inactive PC.

    THE SENATE
    Consists of individuals elected by the citizens of Peltarch. The Senate is the executive branch of government – it decides all major issues relating to trade, taxation, law, and war. The Senate also appoints the Magistrates and the Generals of the City Guard and the Defenders. In times of crisis, the Senate has the power to declare Martial Law and hand power over to the Defender General. The Senate may, upon request, acquire bodyguards from the Peltarch Defenders. Senators have no authority over any armed force. Senators may issue pardons or bans for individual citizens or outlanders, subject to review by the Senate as a whole.

    Current Senators:

    Senator Rath Ashald

    • Advisor:

    Senator Torin Bravickus

    • Advisor:

    Senator Roland Brynmor

    • Advisor: The Fool

    Senator Mariston Thel
    Advisor: Professor Grubrod Scudd

    Senator Evendur Mildsilver

    • Advisor:

    PELTARCH MAGISTRATES
    Judges appointed by the Senate. Magistrates may issue warrants for the arrest and imprisonment of suspected criminals. They also issue trade permits for the sale of weapons by non-citizens in Peltarch. Magistrates may hire Inquisitors to serve under them, either as assistant District Judges or Prosecutors in the event of Peltarch versus a part. The Magistrate’s role in any trial is OBJECTIVE and IMPARTIAL. Magistrates may, upon request, acquire bodyguards from the City Guard. Magistrates have no authority over any armed force. Magistrates answer directly to the Senate. The crime of striking a Magistrate is punishable by death.

    Current Magistrates:

    Magistrate Barrim Asbravn

    Magistrate Shannon D’Arneau

    Magistrate Miranda Greywing

    PELTARCH INQUISITORS
    Individuals hired by a Magistrate. Inquisitors assist a Magistrate either as District Judges, or as Prosecutors in the event of Peltarch versus a part. An Inquisitor’s main tasks are to gather information that may be useful to the Magistrate and to assist in the apprehension of fugitives. Inquisitors answer to the individual Magistrate who hires them. In turn, the Magistrate is responsible for the actions of his Inquisitors.

    Current Inquisitors:

    Assisting Magistrate Asbravn

    Assisting Magistrate D’Arneau

    • Inquisitor Tigrelily

    Assisting Magistrate Greywing

    PELTARCH DEFENDERS
    The Defenders are Peltarch’s main army, established by the Senate in the Guard and Defenders Act of 1098 DR. They defend the city in times of war and pursue Peltarch’s interests abroad. The commander of the Defenders is a General appointed by the Senate. Under the General are the Captains of each Defender Corps, who in turn command the Officers of the various squads that make up an army Corps. These Corps include: the Far Scouts, a special reconnaissance and surveillance unit; the Cerulean Knights, a cadre of spellswords who handle magical threats and disturbances; the military Engineers; the Clerics and Healers; and the Marines, who serve aboard Defender ships on the Icelace Lake. The Peltarch Defenders have no jurisdiction inside the city walls. In the event of Martial Law, the Defenders immediately assume FULL control of the city. The Defender General is placed in absolute power over any other government force. The Defenders answer to the Senate. The current commander of the Defenders is General Kaster Lavindo.

    Current Player Characters in The Defenders:

    n/a

    THE CITY GUARD
    The police force of Peltarch. They work in the main city districts, with each district commanded by one Detective. The Detectives send reports to their Lieutenants. The Lieutenants, in turn, report to their respective Captains. The commander of the City Guard is a General appointed by the Senate. The City Guard has no jurisdiction outside the city walls. The Magistrates may, upon request, acquire bodyguards from the City Guard. In the event of martial law, the City Guard will fall under the control of the Defender General. The City Guard answers to the Senate. The Guard is currently under the command of Guard General Marcus Ash

    Current Player Characters in The City Guard:

    • Private Annie Quickspear
    • Private Steelfin

    STATE OF PELTARCH

    Peltarch officially lays claims to the following lands and enforces Peltarchian laws within its borders:

    The main city districts; the two western foothills areas; the Nars Pass - Watchtower area; the two Eastern Plains areas; the Icelace Beach area.

    All of the areas outside the city are regarded as hostile which nullifies weapons and spell laws. Unwordly familiars are frowned upon but otherwise accepted when kept under tight control.

    Peltarch retains the sovereign legal right to pursue and prosecute fugitives of its legal system wherever they may be found.

    v. 1.3

    II. An Explanation of the Peltarch Court System

    The Peltarch legal system consists of two courts, The District Court and The Supreme Court.

    THE DISTRICT COURT
    The District Court handles all matters that warrant a trial. All statutes beginning with 1 warrant a trial, except statute 1.14 and 1.15, which are considered minor.

    The Judge in a District Court is a Peltarch Magistrate. In the event of Peltarch versus a part, a Peltarch Inquisitor may serve as Prosecutor.

    Both the Prosecution and the Defense have the right to appeal the decision of a District Court to the Supreme Court. However, it is rare that the Supreme Court will handle the case. The Supreme Court only handles cases of great importance, or in the event that new evidence is uncovered after a District Court decision is made.

    THE SUPREME COURT
    The Supreme Court handles cases that are of great importance, such as cases involving prominent citizens or foreigners. Any other cases must take the form of an appeal over the verdict delivered in a District Court. It is the responsibility of the Magistrate to examine the evidence presented in order to determine whether the appeal merits review by the Supreme Court.

    Judges of the Supreme Court are always Magistrates.

    The verdict of the Supreme Court is final. However, in extreme cases, the Senate itself might try the case. In such an event, the Senate may overrule the Supreme Court.

    EXAMPLE OF TRIAL ROUTINES

    Hearing. The Prosecution and Defense present their cases to a District Court judge. The judge decides if the issue warrants a trial and sets a date for the trial. It is illegal for either party to withhold any evidence from the judge. After the hearing, no new evidence will be allowed unless the judge agrees that the evidence is valid.

    Trial.
    -Opening Statements. The Prosecution starts, followed be the Defense
    -Witness Testimony. The Prosecution presents its witnesses. The Defense may then cross-examine. Witnesses must swear an Oath of Truth.
    -Plaintiff and Defense Testimony. The Plaintiff may provide a statement or testimony, and the Defense may cross-examine. The Defendant may then provide a statement or testimony, and the prosecution may cross-examine.
    -Closing Statements. Prosecution starts followed by the Defense.

    Verdict. The judge delivers the verdict, and sentence, if necessary.

    Appeal. After the verdict, the parties have (one real life week) to appeal to the Supreme Court if they wish to do so.

    v.1.2