Rules & Regulations

🏛️ Section 1: Professional Integrity

The DOJ is the standard-bearer for Serious RP. We do not engage in petty disputes; we resolve them.

1.1. Impartiality (Judges)

• Neutrality: Judges must remain absolutely neutral. You cannot favor the Police because you are “government,” nor favor criminals because they are your friends.
• Conflict of Interest: If a Judge has a personal relationship (in-character or out-of-character) with a defendant or officer involved in a case, they must Recuse themselves (step down) and assign a different Judge.
• God-Complex: While Judges have final say, they must not abuse their power to belittle other players.

1.2. Zealous Representation (Attorneys)

• Duty to Client: Defense Attorneys must defend their client to the best of their ability, regardless of whether the client is guilty.
• Attorney-Client Privilege: Information shared between a lawyer and their client is Sacred. You cannot snitch on your client to the police. Doing so will result in immediate Disbarment.

1.3. Competence

• Knowledge: All DOJ members are expected to know the Penal Code and Constitution by heart. Deliberately misinterpreting the law for “lulz” is not permitted.
• Activity: Judges must review Warrant Requests within a timely manner (e.g., within 24 hours) to prevent stalling RP.

⚖️ Section 2: Courtroom Procedures & Decorum

The Courtroom is a sanctuary of order. Chaos is not tolerated.

2.1. Contempt of Court

• Judges have the authority to hold any individual in Contempt of Court for:

1. Speaking out of turn / Shouting.
2. Disrespecting the Bench.
3. Weapons brandishing inside the courthouse.

• Penalty: Contempt charges result in immediate fines and jail time, bypassing a trial.

2.2. Evidence Standards

• Discovery: The Prosecution (DA/Police) must share all evidence with the Defense before the trial begins. “Surprise Evidence” is not allowed (Brady Rule).
• Admissibility: Evidence obtained illegally (e.g., a cop searched a house without a warrant) is Inadmissible and must be thrown out by the Judge (“Fruit of the Poisonous Tree”).

2.3. Perjury

• Lying under oath is a serious felony.
• If a police officer or civilian is proven to have lied on the stand, the DOJ must pursue criminal charges against them immediately.

📝 Section 3: Warrants & Authorization Powers

This is the most powerful mechanic the DOJ possesses. It must not be abused.

3.1. Probable Cause (PC) Requirement

• Judges may NOT sign a Search Warrant or Arrest Warrant without clear, documented Probable Cause submitted by LSPD/CID/MP.
• Hunches are not evidence: “We think he deals drugs” is not enough. “We have a photo of him handing a bag to a known dealer” is enough.

3.2. No “Blank Cheques”

• Judges cannot sign “General Warrants” (e.g., “Search everyone in this neighborhood”). Warrants must be specific to a Person, Vehicle, or Property.

3.3. Asset Freeze / Seizure

• The DOJ can authorize the freezing of bank accounts or seizure of luxury cars only if there is proof the assets were bought with “Dirty Money.” This requires a dedicated financial investigation case.

💼 Section 4: The Bar Association (Licensing)

4.1. The Bar Exam

• No player may represent others in court (for money) without passing the Bar Exam and holding a valid Bar License.
• Self-Representation: Players may represent themselves (Pro Se), but they are held to the same standards of conduct as a lawyer.

4.2. Disbarment (Firing)

• A lawyer may lose their license (be Disbarred) for:

1. Taking a bribe to throw a case (Sabotage).
2. Failing to show up for a scheduled court date.
3. Active participation in violent felonies (You cannot be a Lawyer and a Bank Robber simultaneously on the same character).

🚫 Section 5: Corruption & Rule Breaks

Corruption in the DOJ is a delicate matter and is heavily regulated.

5.1. Judicial Corruption

• Strictly Prohibited: Judges are Admin-Level or highly vetted Trusted Civilians. They cannot accept bribes or be corrupt. A corrupt Judge breaks the server’s balance.
• Exception: Only with specific approval from Server Ownership/Head Admin for a major server event.

5.2. Attorney Corruption

• Permitted within Reason: Defense attorneys may be “shady” (e.g., working closely with gangs), but they cannot break the law inside the courtroom (e.g., tampering with evidence files).

👮 Section 6: Interactions with LSPD & MP

6.1. Police Oversight

• If the DOJ receives a credible complaint about Police Brutality or Rights Violations, they are obligated to open an Internal Affairs (IA) investigation.
• The DOJ has the power to recommend the suspension or firing of officers to the Chief of Police.

6.2. Military Tribunals

• Crimes committed by the Military Police or within the “Badlands” Jurisdiction are subject to Federal Law.
• In these cases, DOJ Judges preside, but the sentencing guidelines may be harsher (Federal Sentencing Guidelines).