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====== System of Justice ======
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<p>The courts of Caldorne are presided over by the crown, the church, and the collegium. All work together to ensure that justice is always done. </p><p>When a person is accused of committing a misdemeanour or minor felony he comes under the jurisdiction of the Low Justice. His accuser--usually the sheriff on behalf of a private citizen--will file formal charges. The accused will appear before a tribunal composed of three duly sworn local officers of the Barony. (Currently in Durin-Kuller the officers are Crown Sheriff Hauptmeyer, Godia Hluodonia, and Magus Manton.)</p><p>The courtroom and chambers are warded against magical intrusion and every deponent is examined to assure that no magical tampering has occurred. All testimony is given under spell. First, the facts of the case are presented, usually by the accuser, sometimes by other means, including by a defendant's confession. Any witnesses the Tribunal wants to question speak next. Finally, the accused will speak in his own defence, bringing out any mitigating circumstances and so forth. The tribunal will then ask for any additional information they deem necessary from any deponent. At the Tribunal's discretion, once the fundamental testimony has been given, citizens may speak on behalf of the accused or against him, as character witnesses or to establish extenuating or aggravating circumstances. When satisfied they have all the facts, they will withdraw to chambers to deliberate and review all testimony, including any magical records made during the trial. When they are finished they will return to the courtroom to declare the verdict and pronounce sentence. Sentence is immediately carried out. Most crimes are handled by the Low Justice. </p><p>
The Middle Justice is in many ways the same, differing mainly in the severity of the crimes that fall to their jurisdiction and the skill and power of the adjudicators. The Tribunal is composed of the Baron, the Bishop of Heimdall's Gate Cathedral, and the Senior Magus of the Barony. All of them will have one or more assistants. Triple wards are cast, and the spells are more involved and informative. 

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A few very serious capital crimes are remanded to the High Justice. These trails take place in Vesby and are heard by the King himself, the most senior archbishop of the Cathedral Of The Pantheon, and the Keeper of Vesby Tower. Each branch of the High Justice Tribunal has legions of assistants, the spells used are amazingly powerful, and testimony and deliberation can take days. The defendant will either be exonerated or executed before the court is adjourned. </p><p>
There are two other facts to remember. First, once any trial begins, no one can enter or leave the courtroom. Second, there is one exception to everything just detailed. To lie in court is a capital crime. To tamper with any deponent to make them lie is a capital crime. Any such finding will set the original trial in abeyance, and the ones found lying will be remanded to the High Justice court.</p>

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