Space Law

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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 (headsets or 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.

Contraband

Contraband is a broad category of items that are illegal to use or carry on your person without the proper authorization. While there are not charges associated with carrying contraband, it is still prohibited. There are three general tiers of contraband, and they are governed by the following regulations:

• Minor Contraband: Any contraband which is restricted to a department other than Command or Security is minor contraband unless otherwise specified. The Captain or Head of Security may authorize individual use of minor contraband, and other department heads may authorize the usage of minor contraband restricted to their assigned department.

• Major Contraband: Any contraband which is restricted to the Command or Security department is major contraband unless otherwise specified. The Head of Security may authorize the use of contraband that is particularly restricted to Security, otherwise the Captain may authorize the usage of any major contraband.

• Highly Illegal Contraband: Highly illegal contraband includes Syndicate contraband and magical contraband. Without explicit authorization from Central Command, highly illegal contraband may only be used in the event of dire, immediate emergencies, and only to prevent death or gross bodily harm. Once the emergency is dealt with, the contraband should be stored in a secure location.

Security is obligated to carry out the seizure of contraband through routine searches or when processing criminals in the brig, but may prioritize their other duties over confiscation if they see fit. With regards to contraband usage, Security is expected to follow the same regulations as everyone else. Confiscated contraband should be transferred to and stored securely within the Security department, or permanently disposed of. Collaborating with Cargo to sell confiscated contraband is highly encouraged, as it generally fetches a high value.

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 should confiscate the restricted items. Non-restricted items may be seized by Security if they were used to facilitate a crime. 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. Random searches requiring no probable cause or warrant are permitted on any other alert level.

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 extraction procedures, so long as it's within reason. The process of adding or extracting an implant should not prolong the detainees sentence, meaning you can not hold them longer to perform the procedure, unless stated otherwise. A former inmate can be requested to undergo implantation/extraction 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/extraction 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 crimes with a V suffix).

Mind Shields: Mind Shields can be administered to any suspect charged with a crime if there is reasonable and articulable suspicion to believe they committed the crime while under mind control. If there is undeniable proof of ongoing mind control on the station, such as a successful deconversion, all the following statements apply:

• Crew can be required to be shielded and may be forcibly implanted if they refuse.

• If a suspect refuses to cooperate or the implant fails to function they can be charged with Refusal of Mental Shielding.

• Unlike standard implantation you may indefinitely extend the duration of a prisoner's sentence until you finish issuing Mind Shields, so long as active attempts are made to procure implants and complete the implantation procedure.

Removal

Any prisoner in custody can be subjected to implant extraction for a specific implant if there is reasonable suspicion they have it implanted. Detainees may not be forced or coerced into performing implant extraction on themselves against their will.

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.

Maximum Allowable Sentences: When sentencing a criminal, only the most severe crime should be considered for their maximum allowable sentence. If you charge someone with two or more different crimes, you should pick the highest crime that matches the case and use that to determine the sentence. Note that repeat offenders can still be charged with the tacked-on repeated crime charge.

• Example: A suspect has committed a 2-01 (Grand Theft) and a 3-04 (Kidnapping). The maximum allowable sentence time would be 10 minutes due to 3-04 being the more severe crime.

• Example 2: A suspect commits a 4-00 (Breach of Custody) and a 4-04 (Attempted Murder). Those crimes are equal in terms of severity, therefore the maximum allowable sentence time would be 15 minutes.

• Example 3: A suspect committed an 4-04 (Attempted Murder) previously during the shift, and has done so again trying to kill the same victim, committing a 2-03 (Secure Trespass) in the process. The maximum allowable sentence is 18 minutes. 15 base for the 4-04, and 3 additional for being a repeat offender.

 Remember, context matters heavily, and maximum sentences should only be used for the worst offenders.

Repeat 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 charge, and that in the instance of multiple crimes being committed, you should use the longer time for the maximum allowable sentence. For example, if someone does their second repeat of Assault and one count of Kidnapping, their maximum allowable sentence would be 11 minutes. 5 from the Moderate crime of Assault plus 6 from the second repeat.

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 station-wide destruction.

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. Within reason, 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.

Quick Crime Guide

1-XX - Minor	2-XX - Moderate	3-XX - Major	4-XX - Extreme	5-XX - Capital	Code
	Resisting a Lawful Search (E)	Obstruction of Justice (E)	Breach of Custody (E)]]	Breach of Permanent Confinement (E)	00
Petty Theft (H)	Grand Theft (H)				01
Vandalism (D)	Damage of Property (D)	Minor Sabotage/Destruction (D)	Major Sabotage/Destruction (D)	Station-Wide Destruction (D)	02
Trespass (T)	Secure Trespass (T)				03
Animal Cruelty (V)	Assault (V)	Kidnapping (V)	Attempted Murder (V)	Murder (V)	04
Endangerment (V)	Gross Negligence (V)		Manslaughter (V)	Mass Acts of Violence (V)	05
Disturbance (R)		Rioting (R)		Refusal of Mental Shielding (R)	06

• Crime codes are colored by linked crime groups, which are classifications of crimes that are similar in nature. These classifications are useful for differentiating violent criminals from anti-authoritarian ones for example

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, then 5 minutes is the maximum sentence for a minor crime.

Offense	Description	Image	Notes	Code
Petty Theft (H)	To take non-vital or inexpensive property of another individual, organization, or common property, without consent.		Petty theft covers the owning or possession of items which were not lawfully or consentually given to the holder. This may include departmental contraband, if the contraband was not approved for the holder. Items covered by petty theft are usually easily replacable, low value, or low danger.	1-01
Vandalism (D)	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.	1-02
Trespass (T)	To enter a non-secured area without permission.		It's best to just remove them from the area unless this is a repeated crime.	1-03
Animal Cruelty (V)	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 such as mice, animals normally used in the process of food production, or creatures that could pose a threat to the station.	1-04
Endangerment (V)	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.	1-05
Disturbance (R)	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.	1-06

Moderate Crimes

• The maximum sentence for a 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
Resisting a Lawful Search (E)	To resist reasonable a lawful search or seizure from a member of the security department, or an authorized head of staff.		The search or seizure must be legal, either through a valid warrant, evidence, or alert level. The perpetrator must have made an active attempt to flee, resist restraint, or refuse to hand over contraband if applicable.	2-00
Grand Theft (H)	To take critical or unreplaceable property of another individual or organization without consent.		The difference between 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. Additionally, stealing anything from the armory is grand theft, including seized contraband.	2-01
Damage of Property (D)	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 critical property destruction.	2-02
Secure Trespass (T)	To enter a secured area without permission.		This covers places like telecomms, head offices, security zones, command areas, the vault and armory.	2-03
Assault (V)	To threaten to or to use physical force against a member of the crew without the intent to kill.		Attempted murder and assault are different; a fist fight is most likely assault. A shooting may be an attempted murder. Ensure you have context before making the call.	2-04
Gross Negligence (V)	A conscious, reckless disregard for the safety or wellbeing of others.		To cause an unreasonable amount of damage to a part of the station as a result of negligence. This could be purposefully allowing anomalies to go critical, or causing an accidental but not permanent death.	2-05

Major Crimes

• The maximum sentence for a major crime is 10 minutes.
• It is recommended to not use maximum sentences for those being compliant.

Offense	Description	Image	Notes	Code
Obstruction of Justice (E)	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
Minor Sabotage/Destruction (D)	To cause minor damage to an area or a minor station system.		Includes destruction of station machinery such as ID card computers or telecommunications servers, power devices such as substations, and non-hostile silicon units.	3-02
Kidnapping (V)	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.	3-04
Rioting (R)	To take part in a large group of personnel creating an unlawful public disturbance.		Leaders of a riot can be charged with all crimes that happen under their lead.	3-06

Extreme Crimes

• The maximum sentence for an extreme crime is 15 minutes

Offense	Description	Image	Notes	Code
Breach of Custody (E)	To break out of a cell or custody with the intention of escaping.		Includes breaking out other people.	4-00
Major Sabotage/Destruction (D)	To cause massive damage to an area or major station system.		This is mostly used for deadly departmental bombings or sabotage of major station systems such as the TEG or hacking the ATS.	4-02
Attempted Murder (V)	To try and use force against a crewmember with the clear intent to kill.		This covers any intentional but unsuccessful attempt to kill another member of the crew.	4-04
Manslaughter (V)	To incidentally kill a crewmember being without intent.		Includes manslaughter in self-defense and negligent manslaughter. If there is provable intent, then the subject should instead be charged with attempted murder.	4-05

Capital Crimes

• Capital crimes should usually lead to a death sentence or shift lasting detainment.

Capital Crimes

Offense	Description	Image	Notes	Code
Breach of Permanent Confinement (E)	To break someone sentenced to Permanent Confinement out of a cell or custody with the intention of escaping.		Includes breaking out other people sentenced to Permanent Confinement.	5-00
Station-Wide Destruction (D)	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. This includes any means causing the entire station to become uninhabitable, releasing an active singularity, station-wide atmospherics sabotage, and destruction of the station AI all fall into this category.	5-02
Murder (V)	To permanently kill a member of the crew.		This covers any successful attempt to kill a member of the crew and prevent resuscitation. If the victim was declared legally dead, but was able to be resusitated, then it is only Attempted Murder.	5-04
Mass Acts of Violence (V)	To attempt to kill three or more sapient beings with malicious intent.		Applies when there have been three or more Attempted Murders with intention, or if the perpetrator has commited three or more acts of Manslaughter.	5-05
Refusal of Mental Shielding (R)	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.	5-06