Space Law
On Space Station 14, stations operate under abbreviated space law. All crew, passengers, and visitors aboard the station are expected to follow these laws.
Foreign invaders, such as nuclear operatives, ninjas, and pirates, are not protected under space law. Traitors are not foreign invaders so are usually protected by space law.
Space Law is not the server rules, but some rules reference Space Law and require it to be followed by certain people or to some degree.
Treatment Of Prisoners
Prisoners still have certain rights that must be upheld by law enforcement:
- Prisoners must be granted adequate medical care.
- Prisoners must be allowed access to basic communications equipment (Radios) so long as they are not abused.
- Prisoners must be granted clothing, food, water, shelter and safety. If the brig is no longer safe, confinement must be established in another location.
- Prisoners must be given access to legal counsel during an interrogation if requested and available.
- Prisoners must be given their shift mandated PDA after confinement has finished, unless there is solid proof of PDA tampering. In case of tampering, the PDA is to be secured and replaced with a new unit.
- Prisoners must be granted freedom of movement, and should not be restrained with handcuffs or other devices after incarceration unless there is an undue risk to life and limb. Similarly, any prisoners held for permanent confinement should be held in the communal brig, and should not be confined to a solitary cell unless they pose a risk to life and limb.
Search and Seizure
A personnel search is a seizure of the objects in a person's backpack, hands, coat, belt, and pockets. If any contraband is found during a search, the officer may choose to further the search into a detainment or simply confiscate the restricted items. After the search is conducted, all legal items are to be returned to the person. A crewmate may legally decline any search conducted without probable cause or a warrant while the alert level is green. It should be noted that if the alert level is blue or above, all personnel searches are legal.
A departmental search is the sweep of an entire area or department for contraband. It is recommended that the officers be extremely thorough, checking all lockers, crates, and doors. These can only be done with permission or, ideally, a warrant signed by the department head or highest-ranking command staff, which is the captain in most cases.
Implantation
Any prisoner in custody can be subjected to implantation or implant removal procedures, so long as it's within reason. The process of adding an implant should not prolong the detainees sentence, meaning you can not hold them longer to administer the implant, unless stated otherwise. A former inmate can be requested to undergo implantation at a later point in time if they fit the circumstances during their confinement, they must comply. The following have been listed out with special circumstances, anything not in this list can still be applied, given proper legal context. A prisoner can still receive implantation procedures without meeting the circumstances if they give their clear permission.
Tracking Implants: Trackers can be applied to any suspect that has been convicted of a violent crime (the red linked crimes).
Mind Shields: Shields can be administered to any inmate who has been clearly mind controlled, lost control of themselves, or a suspect charged with unlawful control. Unlike standard implantation you may hold a prisoner until you finish issuing Mind Shields, so long as it's done in a timely fashion. If a suspect refuses to cooperate or the implant fails to function they can be charged with Refusal of Mental Shielding.
Removal
A suspect can be forced to receive implant removal if there is strong, reasonable proof that they have been implanted, such as an officer seeing them use one or their prints being on a discarded injector. Unlike the implantation procedure, a prisoner can have their sentence entirely delayed or extended until they comply with the procedure, as long as security is actively making attempts to perform it. Akin to implanting, if an inmate gives their clear permission, implant removal can proceed without proof.
Sentencing
From a server rules perspective, security officers are only responsible for ensuring that they only place sentences over 15 minutes where space law would allow permanent confinement. Informing the Warden is highly recommended, even for timed sentences. As long as those requirements are met, security officers not giving inappropriate sentence lengths is considered an in-character issue, not a rule issue.
The captain, HOS, and warden are responsible, within reason, for ensuring security officers place appropriate sentences that follow space law. If they are aware of an inappropriate sentence, including excessively long sentences, and if there is not an urgent threat or danger that they must prioritize, then they must work to correct that sentence. Unreasonable failures, as determined by game admins, of the captain, HOS, or warden to ensure space law is followed will be considered a rule issue, not an in-character issue.
Use common sense and humanity when issuing punishments. You should not always seek out the highest punishment you can, you don't have to always give the maximum time or always look to demote someone. Prisoners cooperating and on good behavior should have their sentences reduced. Always take in account the severity and only charge for what is needed for someone to learn their lesson.
Stackable Crimes: Crimes are to be considered 'stackable' in the sense that if you charge someone with two or more different crimes, you should combine the times you would give them for each crime. Linked crimes, shown in matching colors on the Quick Crime Guide, can not be stacked and instead override each other, you should pick the highest crime that matches the case.
- Example: A suspect has committed a 2-01 (possession of restricted gear) and a 3-01 (possession of restricted weapons). The maximum sentence here would be 10 minutes due to them being linked crimes, and 3-01 is the greater crime.
- Example 2: A suspect commits a 3-04 (Secure trespassing) and a 3-06 (manslaughter). Those crimes stack since they are not linked crimes. You could sentence for a maximum of 20 minutes, but context matters heavily, and maximum sentences should only be used for the worst offenders.
Repeater Offenders: Repeated crimes are when someone is released for a crime and then goes to commit the same crime within the same shift. Repeated crimes can be charged with tacked-on time; first repeat: 3:00, second repeat: 6:00, third repeat: permanent confinement. It should be noted each tacked-on time is directly linked to one type of crime, so for example, if someone does their first repeat of trespass and petty theft, you can charge them with an extra 6 minutes.
Accessory, Attempting, And Intention: If someone intentionally, knowingly and substantially assists someone in enacting a crime they can be charged with the relevant crimes, such as an engineer giving someone tools, who says they are going to break into an area. Same goes for a clear and solid attempt at a crime, or a person who shows clear intent to act out a crime, such as a syndicate nuclear operative arming a nuke but getting arrested before it goes off, they can still be charged with terrorism. Does not apply to crimes that have an attempted listing already, like attempted murder.
Normal Punishments
- Warning: For minor crimes, fix the issue, then warn the person not to attempt the crime again. If they still proceed to do it at a later date, a brig time may be better.
- Confinement: The typical punishment, being confined in a cell for a temporary amount of time according to the crimes.
- Demotion: Entails removing all departmental gear they have on their person and revoking the involved department access off their ID. This requires the captain's or involved department head's approval. Demotions should only be issued if the person pose a threat to their own department or are in a position where they have/can abuse their job's gear to commit further crimes.
Major Punishments
- Permanent Confinement: Being held in the permanent brig for the entire duration of the shift. A person is eligible for permanent confinement if their timed sentence would exceed 15 minutes. Any persons subject to this punishment are required to be transported in cuffs to CentComm at the end of the shift. A permanent prisoner can not be deprived of anything covered by the section "Treatment Of Prisoners".
- Execution: A humane way of dealing with extremely unruly crewmates. A prisoner who has been given the death sentence may pick how they wish to be killed, common methods are firing line, lethal injection, exile, and high voltage electrocution. Another alternate method of "execution" is the process of placing a staff's mind into a borg, this is allowed so long as it is lawful. Execution can only be issued with the captain's or acting captain's approval; if the HoS is acting captain or there is no acting captain, all heads of staff are to hold a vote on the matter.
Restricted Items Lists
Items in the list are preceded by an indication of which department or job is legally allowed to use or possess the item on most stations. The station captain may modify these lists as they see fit so long as they exercise due care and provide reasonable notification to the station. Members of command who oversee a department that is permitted to use a restricted item may issue permits to specific people outside of their department to use those items. "None" indicates that there are no departments or roles authorized to use or possess the item.
Controlled Substances
- [Chemists/Science] Explosive and pyrotechnic compounds excluding welding fuel contained in welders or welding fuel storage vessels
- [Science] Toxins
- [Medical] Chloral hydrate, Impedrezene, Ipecac, and Pax
- [Medical] Desoxyephedrine and Ephedrine
- [None] Mindbreaker toxin
- [None] Mute toxin
- [None] Nocturine
- [None] Norepinephirc acid
- [None] Romerol
- [None] Space drugs
- [None] Stimulants, excluding Desoxyephedrine and Ephedrine
Restricted Gear
- [ERT/Central Command] ERT and central command clothing
- [Command] Command clothing
- [Security] Security clothing
- [Security] Less than lethal and non-lethal weapons, excluding disablers and beanbag shotguns
- [Security/Command] Disablers
- [Security/Bartender] Beanbag shotguns
- [Security] Flash technology, excluding handheld flashes
- [Security/Science/Command] Handheld flashes
- [Security] Helmets and shields
- [Security/Command/Bartender] Protective vests and chest rigs
- [Security/Command] Restraining gear
- [Security/Command] Security HUDs
- [Engineering] Engineering goggles
- [None] Improvised less lethal and non-lethal weaponry
- [None] Unauthorized PDA software
- [None] Syndicate clothing
- [None] Syndicate equipment, excluding communication equipment
- [Security] Syndicate communication equipment equipment
Restricted Weapons
- [Security] Lethal firearms, excluding syndicate firearms, proto kinetic accelerators, glaives, daggers, crushers and the antique laser gun
- [Security/Salvage] Proto kinetic accelerators, glaives, daggers, and crushers
- [Security/Command] Antique laser gun
- [None] Syndicate weapons
- [None] Swords
- [None] Improvised weaponry, including baseball bats
- [None] Lethal implants
- [None] Other lethal weapons
Quick Crime Guide
- Crime codes are organized by a Category Code (_-xx) which is a collection of non-stackable crimes on a row, prefixed by the Severity Number (X-__).
Extended Crime Listing
Minor Crimes
- Warnings should be issued for a first offense.
- If multiple minor crimes have been committed or it is a repeat offense, 5 minutes per minor crime is the maximum.
| Offense | Description | Image | Notes | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Cruelty | To inflict unnecessary suffering or harm on a non-sapient being with malicious intent. | This doesn’t include legitimate and authorized animal testing and usually doesn't extend to vermin or creatures that could pose a threat to the station. | 1-00 | |
| Possession/Use of Controlled Substances | To make, hold, or abuse restricted drugs or chemicals without authorization. | Combat enhancing drugs are those that benefit stun times, or movement speed, and are restricted. Poisons are restricted. Substances such as Ephedrine, Desoxyephedrine, and stimulants are restricted. The captain or highest standing command staff may publicly restrict other harmful substances. | 1-01 | |
| Petty Theft | To take non-vital or inexpensive property of another individual, organization, or common property, without consent. | The difference between petty theft and grand theft is based on how crucial the stolen item is, things like instruments, clothing and tools fall under petty theft. In most cases all you need to do is detain the thief, return the stolen item and let them go with a warning. | 1-02 | |
| Vandalism | To intentionally deface or superficially damage public or private property. | Painting graffiti, smashing bar glasses, and cracking internal windows is vandalism, breaking a window into space or secure areas is not. | 1-03 | |
| Trespass | To enter a non-secured area without permission. | It's best to just remove them from the area unless this is a repeated crime. | 1-04 | |
| Disturbance | To cause a public disturbance. | Sometimes referred to as hooliganism. The catch-all for obnoxious crewmates. Covers things such as public nudity, needless insults, obstructing authorities, and inciting crime or violence. | 1-07 |
Moderate Crimes
- The maximum sentence per moderate crime is 5 minutes.
- Depending on the situation you may want to issue a warning instead of a detaining.
| Offense | Description | Image | Notes | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to Comply | To resist reasonable orders given by an authority. This extends to authorized searches. | The order has to be reasonable and the person has to receive a good amount of warning before the arrest is issued. | 2-00 | |
| Possession of Restricted Gear | To hold or use non-lethal items or objects that are restricted or illegal. | This is mostly for syndicate contraband; EMAGs, syndicate gas masks, bloodred hardsuits, hijacked PDAs, or syndicate implants, however can sometimes extend to things the individual shouldn't possess like kevlar vests and security gear. | 2-01 | |
| Damage/Destruction of Property | To maliciously damage or deface public or private property or equipment | Includes destruction of job equipment such as hydro trays, booze dispensers, chemical dispensers. Step up from vandalism but a step down from mass destruction. | 2-03 | |
| Endangerment | To recklessly put yourself or others in danger, either through direct action, or failure to act. | Covers industrial accidents, industrial negligence, self-experimentation, or even medical malpractice. | 2-05 |
Major Crimes
- The maximum sentence per major crime is 10 minutes.
- Assault and Manslaughter are linked crimes, and cannot be stacked against a suspect.
- It is recommended to not use maximum sentences for those being compliant.
| Offense | Description | Image | Notes | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breach of Arrest | To intentionally resist and flee arrest or detainment by an authorized staff. | This only applies if someone is actively being physically arrested. People uncuffing or assisting others out of an arrest can also be charged with this. Breach of custody is a separate crime. | 3-00 | |
| Possession of Restricted Weaponry | To hold or use a weapon that is unlawful or contraband. | Everything from guns without a permit, deadly blades, explosives, syndicate firearms to explosive implants. | 3-01 | |
| Grand Theft | To take critical or unreplaceable property of another individual or organization without consent. | The difference between petty theft and grand theft is based on how crucial the stolen item is, this mostly is used for the theft of command staff items, things like door remotes, hardsuits, jetpacks, and unreplaceable machine parts. | 3-02 | |
| Mass Destruction | To cause massive damage to an area or major station system. | This is mostly used for deadly bombings or sabotage of major station systems such as power production, chemistry, substations, or atmos. | 3-03 | |
| Secure Trespass | To enter a secured area without permission. | This covers places like telecomms, head offices, security zones, command areas, the vault and armory. | 3-04 | |
| Assault/Battery | To threaten to or to use physical force against someone without the intent to kill. | Attempted murder and battery are different; a fist fight is most likely assault. A shooting is most likely an attempt at murder. | 3-05 | |
| Manslaughter | To incidentally kill a sapient being without intent. | Includes manslaughter in self-defense and negligent manslaughter. | 3-06 | |
| Rioting | To take part in a large group of personnel creating an unlawful public disturbance. | Crimes like damage of property or battery are expected to be thrown on top of this charge. Leaders of a riot can be charged with all crimes that happen under their lead. | 3-07 |
Extreme Crimes
- The maximum sentence per extreme crime is 15 minutes.
- Particularly violent offenders may be placed in perma. (Attacking officers in an attempt to escape prison)
- Attempted murder and murder are linked crimes and cannot be stacked together.
- Attempted murderers should be granted a more lenient sentence than a murderer.
| Offense | Description | Image | Notes | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breach of Custody | To break out of a cell or custody with the intention of escaping. | While rare, this charge can be bumped to an execution if the suspect has repeatedly attempted to break out of the permanent brig. Includes people breaking others out. | 4-00 | |
| Kidnapping | To unlawfully restrain, transport, control or confine a sapient being against that individual’s will. | A large range of things, used mostly as a catch all when dealing with unlawful control of another being. | 4-02 | |
| Attempted Murder | To make an attempt to use physical force against someone with the clear intent to kill. | Make sure you've got the proof to back up the intention claims, such as proof of a lethal weapon being used. | 4-05 | |
| Murder | To kill a sapient being with malicious intent. | This only changes from attempted to full-on murder if the victim enters a state of being deceased, having to be resurrected. | 4-06 |
Capital Crimes
- Capital crimes should usually lead to a death sentence or shift lasting detainment.
| Offense | Description | Image | Notes | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refusal of Mental Shielding | To refuse to comply with a reasonable Mind Shielding procedure. | Applies if the suspect is excessively uncooperative or the implant fails to function due to the mental state of the prisoner already being too far gone. If the implant fails execution is heavily recommended. | 5-00 | |
| Terrorism | To engage in maliciously destructive actions which threaten to destroy, or successfully destroy a vessel or habitat. | Summed up; extreme sabotage of station systems or setting off self-destruction systems. | 5-03 | |
| Prevention of Revival | To render a body unresurrectable. | This covers gibbing, spacing, intentionally hiding a body, or other ways of preventing a body with a soul from being resurrected. | 5-05 | |
| Mass Murder | To kill three or more sapient beings with malicious intent. | Only applies when there have been multiple killings with intention. | 5-06 |
