Law and Order, DD Version

Subject: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:49 pm

Explicit Laws Given, or Quoted in the Comic

--Stealing, that is, taking things from others without thier consent is against the law. (Proof)
--The Kingdom of Callan provides full monetary compensation if a member of the family dies when one of their royal knights is visiting. This is not the case however if the knight kills the person in question. (Proof 1, Proof 2)
--Prostitution is legal in some towns, one of which has been mentioned by name: Erosus. (Proof)
--Dueling, according to the traditional Callanian law, is legal as long as the proper paperwork is filed, and the contracts are signed in blood. (Proof)
--Slicing an opponents clothing is also a legally binding challenge to a duel. A proxy may legally be assigned by either party to any duel. The one who makes the initial challenge in a duel may not decline the duel. Both sides can present terms of the duel, however the challenger has the final say in what the terms are. (Proof 1, Proof 2, Proof 3)
--The Royal Knights of Callan can oversee duels, and in the event that this occurs, they have the authority to stipulate and enforce additional rules, as well as declare the duel binding, or null and void. A senior Knight has the authority to override the rulings of a junior Knight in these circumstances.(Proof 1, Proof 2, Proof 3)
--Imprisonment - unless you are a government agency with the ability to do so like the Royal Knights or a township sheriff - is illegal. (Proof 1, Proof 2, Proof 3)
--Rape is illegal. (Proof)
--Assault - that is when unprovoked attacking someone by making the first blow - is illegal. (Proof)
--Nurses are "oath bound" to heal someone regardless of their actions - that is, regardless if they have just attacked and threatened to kill someone. (Proof)
--When public property is willfully destroyed - such as in an attack on a town - an investigation will be held in order to determine the responsible party or parties. Once the responsible party or parties have been determined, they must reimburse the Kingdom of Callan for damages, or risk going to debtor's prison. (Proof 1, Proof 2, Proof 3)
--It is possible to avoid debtor's prison by filing the proper paperwork. It is implied that "debtor's prison" itself is a bluff, however, it is only implied for a specific situation. (Proof)
--It is legal to rain pamphlets on a town with permission from the mayor. (Proof)
--You are legally obliged to confess if two people speak out against you. (Proof)
--It is illegal to own multiple businesses in the kingdom of Callan. (Proof)
--The victim of an attempted murder is entitled to one retaliatory strike against his/her aggressor. (Proof)
--Elemental Changelings are legally defined as "victims of their nature," such that it is legally recognized that any erratic behavior is the result of their transformation process, and thus cannot be legally punished for it. (Proof)
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Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:50 pm

Quirks of the Legal System

--Royal Knights have the ability to legally execute, "detain" through physical force, or administer the law to people in the field, when on missions, or when on social outings. (Proof 1, Proof 2, Proof 3, Proof 4)
--In general, Royal Knights appear to have the ability to arrest anyone for any reason, be it actual lawbreaking or some other machination. (Proof)
--Royal Knights can be summoned for aid when dealing with problems that a local township cannot deal with on its own. (Proof)
--Royal Knights move up in rank most simply when the knight directly senior to them dies. There appears to be some other system of promotion, but it is only implied. (Proof)
--A traditional system of leaving items to ones friends and family after death through wills exists. (Proof)
--A traditional, almost modern system of finance and taxes is heavily implied. Tax audits exist. Embezzlement is illegal. Financial specialists - see accountants - exist. (Proof 1, Proof 2, Proof 3)
--Banks can provide reconstruction aid to cities that have been hit hard by disaster, unless those cities are on lands that have been deemed corrupted. (Proof)
--Municipalities at the city level have the ability to sanction the creation of monuments. (Proof)
--Municipalities can elect their own mayors. (Proof)
--Mayors are legally able to assign punishments to people who commit crimes in their town without any oversight. In essence, they can act as both judge and jury. (Proof 1, Proof 2, Proof 3)
--It appears as though Mayors are also able to legally act as District Attorneys, deciding exactly what charges will be taken against a person. (Proof)
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Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 5:55 pm

Foreign Law or Culture Law Quirks

--Some Orc dances and drum performances as performed by Chandaks are sacred enough that it is incumbent upon other orcs to make sure that their traditions are not defiled. (Proof)
--Some of the more traditionalist orc tribes require that a wife be able to sexually please her man before she can be declared his wife, either consensually or otherwise. In these same cultures, it is also acceptable to challenge a husband to a "test of the taking" and attempt claim the wife in combat. (Proof 1, Proof 2)
--In the Winter Archipelago the use of teleportation is punishable by death. This is stated to be a byproduct of the Spell Wolves highly territorial nature. (Proof)
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Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:00 pm

Ok crew, I know I posted a lot at the top of this. But here is an explanation:

I have gone through this comic panel by panel looking for the explicit laws in Callan, and abroad. This project is part reference and part project to see how much internal consistency Mookie has about such things/how absurd the laws really are.

BUT, I am sure I missed some things, left some things out. This is where you guys can post. Provide proof, I'll add it to my list. Also, I only included heavy implications, if there are some legal implications I missed, we can discuss them, and maybe add them to the lists up top.

Well, my fellow fanforumites, discuss away.
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Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 6:25 pm

Great Job Mathias.

I'd like to add a few for consideration:

A mayor may act as a judge in sentencing an individual, without the need for a trial, as he/she sees fit.
http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2006-11-30
http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-08-15
http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-08-20

Some random crap about Elementals not being held accountable for their actions.
http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2007-03-31

That's it for now. I'd also like to say I'm not sure the Nurse's Oath is technically a law. It seems more a sacred promise.

Joined : 06 Jul 2007 Posts : 77 Location : Minas Morgul

To be honest, I was expecting something like "In the Callan Justice system, people are represented by two separate but equal...[etc.]" bit with, I don't know, some knights arresting people and Duncan representing them in court, etc.
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Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 7:45 pm

It's actually more like, 'In the Callan Justice system, lol you're fucked.'

Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 8:02 pm

Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Fri Sep 07, 2007 10:58 pm

I just had a small comment to make. It was concerning...

Joined : 06 Jul 2007 Posts : 77 Location : Minas Morgul

Left the forum Joined : 30 Apr 2007 Posts : 732

Matthias: Good show, but it turns out that 'debtor prison' is a bluff; the debts can be held at bay with properly filed forms. (Counter-proof.) Odds are, people end up in prison on a more generic charge, like contempt of court, if they refuse to make lawfully ordered payments.

Additional quirk: It is legal to sell your own organs. (Proof) Given the state of medical science in the Deeganverse, I suspect the organs are more often used for magical purposes than mundane surgery.

Also, by strong implication, a Seer's Second Sight and scrying power is not considered legal proof in a court of law without corroborating testimony. (Implied Proof)

Joined : 08 Apr 2007 Posts : 435

I don't think I'd accept Gregory's half baked ideas as a proof.

Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Sat Sep 08, 2007 3:00 pm

Shivering Isles Resident Joined : 27 Mar 2007 Posts : 9475

Subject: Re: Law and Order, DD Version Sat Sep 08, 2007 3:34 pm

I think it would be good to have it stickied. It's a useful reference point for any DD law based debate. : )