This material originally appeared in Living Fantasy or The Canting Crew, also published by Troll Lord Games. It is repeated here for the convenience of the reader not in posses- sion of that work.
In a fantasy milieu, as in our actual historical model, there are various courts meting out justice.
Judges: The sovereign courts, royal and palatine noble ones deal in “high justice,” that meaning these bodies can deliver sentences of death, slavery, bondage, for anyone coming before them, including aristocrats. In general, aristocrats and those accused of state crimes are the ones brought before such courts. Cases of both criminal and civil sort are tried by such court. Courts of powerful nobles can do likewise in regards to those persons who are vassals or otherwise subject to the ruling lord. The justicier usually manages the system, sees to the establish- ment of sovereign courts and their judges. The determination of cases might be by a panel of judges or by a jury of the peers of the accused. Such courts are not held often, meet as infrequently as four times a year and remain in session until all cases before the court are disposed of.
Judges are of the lower portion of the upper Socio-Economic Class, crown officials appointed by the state justicier, a high-
ranking state official serving under the steward of the realm. Their lifestyle is similar to that of a minor noble, a lord.
Magistrates: There are middle-level courts that handle felony charges, or civil suits, against all folk not of the aristocratic (noble or knightly status) class. These courts are of sovereign oversight, or noble management in some cases, and their trials are directed by a magistrate. Sovereign magistrate courts will be held in special buildings. Those of noble direction will generally be held in the court of the noble or some building that noble owns and has directed court be held therein. The magistrate might determine the outcome of a trial, or judgment might be given by a jury of the peers of the accused. These courts meet monthly for as many days as are needed to resolve the cases before them.
Magistrates are of the upper portion of the middle Socio-Eco- nomic Class. As are judges, magistrates are appointed by and serve under the justicier. Their lifestyle is similar to that of a well-to-do merchant.
Justices of the Peace: Minor crimes and infractions, petty larceny, misdemeanors, and otherwise inconsequential civil suit matters will come before the court of a justice of the peace. These officials are appointed by the state, or by aristocrats in their domains. These courts meet weekly, again for as many days as are needed to resolve the cases before them.
Justices of the Peace are of the middle portion of the middle Socio-Economic Class. These minor local officials also are appointed by the state justiciar and are accountable to that office. Their lifestyle is similar to that of the wealthy craftsman.
Felonies, Tried by a Magistrate
Riot 6 montsh - 2 years bond or penal servitude Inciting a Riot 3 montsh - 1 year bond or penal servitude Embezzlement 1-5 years of bond servitude
Impersonation 1-5 years of bond servitude Destruction of Private Property 1-5 years of bond servitude Purse Cutting/Snatching 1 year penal servitude
Theft 1-5 years of bond or penal servitude Receiving Stolen Goods 2 years of bond servitude
Tax Evasion 3 years of bond servitude Sale of Stolen Goods 3 years of bond servitude
Burglary 3-5 years of bond or penal servitude Swindling/Confidence Games 3-5 years of bond or penal servitude Assault with a Deadly Weapon 5 years of bond or penal servitude Prison-breaking 5 years of added time
Gaol-breaking, accessory 5 years of bond or penal servitude Grave Robbing 5 years of bond or penal servitude Harboring a Felon 5 years of bond or penal servitude Forgery 5 years of bond or penal servitude Smuggling 5 years of bond or penal servitude Coin Shaving 5 years of bond or penal servitude Destruction/Theft of Government Property 5 years of bond or penal servitude Racketeering/Protection 5 years of bond or penal servitude Perjury 5 years of bond or penal servitude Robbery 5 years of bond or penal servitude Extortion 5 years of bond or penal servitude Horse Theft, Accessory 5 years of penal servitude
Horse Theft Branding & 10 years penal servitude Arson Branding & 10 years penal servitude Arson, Accessory 5 years of penal servitude
Maiming of an Innocent Branding & 10 years of penal servitude Mutilation of an Innocent Branding & 10 years of penal servitude Torture of an Innocent Branding & 10 yeasrs of penal servitude
High Crimes, Tried by a Judge
Flight from/to Avoid bond Servitude Sentence converted to penal servitude, one year of time added to service Leaving area of Villienage Branding with owners mark and return to owner
Leaving area of Villienage, Branded; Return to owner for punishment as fit, including death Bribery of an Official $5,000 to $25,000 and/or 1-5 years penal servitude
Counterfeiting Branding & 10 of years penal servitude Counterfeiting, Accessory 5 years of penal servitude
Desecration of Holy Place Branding & 15 years penal Manslaughter 10 years of bond or penal servitude Rustling 10 years of penal servitude Necromancy 15 years of penal servitude Shipwrecking Death by exposure in a cage Shipwrecking, Accessory 20 years of penal servitude Armed/Highway Robbery Death by hanging Armed/Highway Robbery, Accessory 20 years of penal servitude
Kidnapping Branding & 15 years penal servitude Kidnapping, Accessory 10 of years penal servitude
Lese Majesty Branding & 10 of years penal servitude Murder Execution (usually beheading) Murder, Accessory 20 years penal servitude
Rape Branding & 15 of years penal servitude Rape, Accessory 10 of years penal servitude
Sedition Tongue removal, branding, & exile Sedition, Accessory Branding & 10 of years penal servitude Sorcery Execution (usually beheading) Treason Hanging, then drawing & quartering Treason, Accessory Beheading