Post by Gandalf on Sept 29, 2021 9:57:52 GMT -5
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Built by the Censor Marcus Fulvius Nobilor and completed by his colleague Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, thus bearing the name of his lineage.
It functions as the headquarters of the Praetors in the city, as well as where citizens come to press charges against those they deem to have acted in a criminal fashion. Within the Basilica, the Praetors are responsible for overseeing trials against such individuals, and picking the jurors from amongst the Equestrian class as necessary.
{Procedure}
1. Charges are pressed by one citizen against another. Charges cannot be pressed on behalf of the state. This is even the case for capital crimes.
2. A judge is appointed agreeable to both parties, usually one of the Praetors or a high ranking senator, but in extreme circumstances can be one of the sitting Consuls. In the event of a disagreement, the Praetor appoints the judge.
3. A jury is drawn by lots from the Equestrian or Senatorial class at the discretion of the Praetors. This process is highly susceptible to personal bias, with the Praetors capable of appointing a jury favourable to one citizen or another.
4. The prosecution and defence lay out their case as mandated by the Judge, who has supreme authority over the courtroom. Witnesses can be called to provide written or spoken evidence. Character witnesses are considered particularly important, with certain guilt often being saved from a testimony of a man of honourable repute. Just as successful attacks on a man's character could damn him in the eyes of the jury. Successful advocates are usually always gifted public speakers.
5. Once all evidence has been given, the question is put to the jury, with the judge holding the tie-breaking vote in the instance of an impasse. In practical terms, this will be rolled by moderators, with very heavy weight put on to player actions (such as bribery, given evidence, etc) and quality of RP. The 'randomness' of the outcome is very small in comparison to other RP scenarios.
6. If the defendant is declared guilty, then it is the obligation of the prosecution to enforce the law with the backing of the state machinery. At this point, a guilty party only can be saved from the outcome by fleeing into exile or the intercession of a tribune, though this will bring its own consequences at the discretion of the moderators.
'The law' will be effectively legislation passed by our own characters, as well as the laws stipulated in the Twelve Tables.
1. Charges are pressed by one citizen against another. Charges cannot be pressed on behalf of the state. This is even the case for capital crimes.
2. A judge is appointed agreeable to both parties, usually one of the Praetors or a high ranking senator, but in extreme circumstances can be one of the sitting Consuls. In the event of a disagreement, the Praetor appoints the judge.
3. A jury is drawn by lots from the Equestrian or Senatorial class at the discretion of the Praetors. This process is highly susceptible to personal bias, with the Praetors capable of appointing a jury favourable to one citizen or another.
4. The prosecution and defence lay out their case as mandated by the Judge, who has supreme authority over the courtroom. Witnesses can be called to provide written or spoken evidence. Character witnesses are considered particularly important, with certain guilt often being saved from a testimony of a man of honourable repute. Just as successful attacks on a man's character could damn him in the eyes of the jury. Successful advocates are usually always gifted public speakers.
5. Once all evidence has been given, the question is put to the jury, with the judge holding the tie-breaking vote in the instance of an impasse. In practical terms, this will be rolled by moderators, with very heavy weight put on to player actions (such as bribery, given evidence, etc) and quality of RP. The 'randomness' of the outcome is very small in comparison to other RP scenarios.
6. If the defendant is declared guilty, then it is the obligation of the prosecution to enforce the law with the backing of the state machinery. At this point, a guilty party only can be saved from the outcome by fleeing into exile or the intercession of a tribune, though this will bring its own consequences at the discretion of the moderators.
'The law' will be effectively legislation passed by our own characters, as well as the laws stipulated in the Twelve Tables.
