Justice in Balmuria is slightly more progressive than in many nations. As an emerging state, law is looser and more fluid than in older empires. It lacks many nooks and crannies, relying on local enforcement. These are meant to be loose and wide fitting, let me know if you see any points that you feel should be addressed that aren't.
Categories:
Execution: Treason, Murder, Grand Theft (Theft over 1000 GP in value or at Lord Salman's direct discretion), Rape, Kidnapping.
Major offenses: (More than 3 years in jail/hard labor): Deadly Assault, Greater Theft(999 GP-200 GP), Smuggling.
Minor offenses: (No more than 3 years in jail/hard labor.): Petty theft below 200 GP, Assault, Obstructing the Guard
Notes:
Execution: This one is obvious. While a crime that can get execution may not get it, it's a very real possibility. In the case of the well off, long sentences or large fines may be substitued.
Treason: This covers spying, betraying your country, giving aid to the enemy in a time of war, ect. Basically it's what it sounds like. Don't do it.
Murder: Killing someone in cold blood without a good reason. Good reasons are self defense or protection of property. The guard killing someone in defense or duty doesn't qualify short of gross abuse.
Grand Theft: This generally covers large thefts and serves as something of a loose catchall. As most magical items of note are more than 1000 GP they fall into this bracket; there is a large amount of discretion used case by case. Note that fraud is generally covered by these. Willful and unlawful destruction of property is considered theft and prosecuted as such, with the gold value determining the category.
Rape: If it can be proven, not good. Don't do it.
Kidnapping: Taking someone and holding them for ransom. If there isn't ransom, this tends to be treated as only a major offense.
Major Offenses: Bad shit but not bad enough to see you hang. Quite.
Deadly Assault: Assault that could've clearly killed someone, or assault that would have short of clerical intervention. It's pretty close to attempted murder in modern times.
Greater Theft: Basically stealing stuff that's worth a lot of money, but not a fortune. This one can see you in jail for a long time depending on whom you stole from.
Smuggling: A loose catchall for smuggling goods into the Baronies/Balmuria. A lot of this connects and works in concert with basic regulations about not sneaking trade goods in. Most of the crimes here tend to be hefty fines levied on sneaky but sloppy merchants.
Petty Theft: Low time stealings. Multiple cases of this can be upgraded to a higher rank of theivery trial. Punishments here range from a day in a stockaide to fines to jail time to restitution.
Assault: Basic fighting - from drunks the guard seperates to pissed off ex friends to what have you. This covers most normal fits fights and hooliganery. Punishment can vary.
Obstructing the Guard: This is a catchall for interfering with offical business. It's superceded by higher ranking laws: Killing a guardsman would be done under murder, with the fact it's a guard being a factor in the punishment, for example. This law is fairly vague to give the guardsmen room to work with. It really boils down to a simple point: Don't be a dick to the guards and don't obstruct justice.
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Processing:
On arrest, crimials are head for up to a week and taken to a local judge(Or one comes to them, depending on the area). The local guard gives a report and the prisoner has a chance to give his side of it, then judgment is passed. In more important cases, several magistrates or judges can be invovled in a panel - mostly for capital crimes or political matters.
If a criminal can't be processed in a week due to lack of judging, he gets to sit in a cell until the authorities decide to let him go(Minor matters, local issue) or one gets there.
Punishments:
Execution: Pretty damn obvious!
Jail/prison time: You get to sit in a tiny cell, get bathed once a month, get fed half stale food and get to do hard, rough labor like ditch digging, basic washing or crafting, or just breaking stones. Not fun.
Fines: Generally as much as the judge wants to fine you for a crime. Loose caps are generally 200 GP for minor crimes, 2000 for major and the sky's the limit for the big crimes. Fines are assessed in lieu of other punishments at times, if there is proof the prisoner can pay.
Stockaides/restitution/minor labor/military service: All options for lesser crimes.
Coming updates: Magic, laws and YOU.