Reforming the eCanadian Justice System
Wombatman25
Good evening eCanada,
Did you know that the citizens of our nation used to be governed by a comprehensive Criminal Code?
This Criminal Code was repealed Aug 09, 2011 and replaced with a mere shell of its former self
The Current Version
2. Every eRepublik player owes, to every other, a duty of honesty and good faith.
3. Breach of the duty of honesty and good faith attract sanctions, determined by the Supreme Court of Canada.
Our Criminal Code, in its current form, leaves the deliverance of justice open to the interpretation of a few individuals.
The current code leaves many loopholes open to criminals.
Is it time for a new Criminal Code?
I envision a Justice System where the Supreme Court is a respected institution, where judges are impartial, and where trials are completed in a timely manner.
I would like to see a Justice System that keeps the populace well-informed.
As many of you know, I have nominated myself to be a Justice in the Supreme Court of eCanada. The Congressmen and Congresswomen of eCanada are voting on this at this very moment.
What you may not know is that I have spent the last few days creating an Act which I will present to the eCanadian Congress shortly. The Act, titled the Criminal Code of eCanada, is designed to accomplish a number of goals.
1. It is designed to close loopholes. Loopholes should not be closed by shortening laws and codes. They should be closed by making laws specific, thorough, and relevant to the game.
2. It will speed up the legal process. When laws are simple, and easy to understand, there will be less delay and people will have more faith in the power of the Supreme Court.
3. It is easy to understand. There's no point to writing a Criminal Code if it takes a lawyer to read it. The average citizen will be able to read and understand the new Criminal Code.
4. It will give a greater degree of legitimacy and transparency to the Supreme Court. There must be constant and detailed communication between the Supreme Court and the eCanadian populace. The new Criminal Code will ensure that.
Help me reform the justice system eCanada.
A reformed Criminal Code will ensure that the Supreme Court is a source honesty and integrity for all eCanadians.
Comments
Cool, just make sure the punishments are applicable.
I'd support you, if I was Canadian and if instead of just making statements you proposed your ideas. Here you only list issues at large but not really any way to fix them. Perhaps enlighten us with a few examples of how you plan on closing the loopholes? None the less, best of luck, hopefully, the brolliance will tackle this issue together soon (:
Anyone who wishes to take a look at it before it is published should contact me by PM.
Ardikus V2, I believe the punishments are appropriate, fair, and applicable.
CLOYD, I have a document detailing that. This article is just an intro.
#1 and #4 are the main improvements.
#2 and #3 are better accomplished with the current Charter of honesty and good faith, since it is simple (therefore easier to expedite) and it is easy to understand (therefore any player can participate).
a fine project for a committed player. Good luck.
You might however benefit from some history, because it would be unfortunate if old mistakes were just repeated.
For instance, although you describe the current law as a a mere shell of the former Code, you might be interested to know that not a single conviction was ever obtained under the former Code. Not one. Not even for stealing. There are reasons for that.
May i also remind people that the Court's main function was originally NOT to punish. It wasn't to take away forum access. It was mainly used to RESTORE forum access which had been taken away by government action (i.e. Dean22 or Duncan or various others) and to protect individuals from government action (such as ordering the CAF to vote in PP elections). The Court also served other useful functions in relation to drafting laws and providing general opinions. Much has changed.
I believe, as Mellors has alluded to, that the Criminal code was reformed to it's current state in order to close existing loop holes. You must be careful, as specific/direct wording will result in the application of specific/direct results/punishments/rulings. A law which is itself a shade of gray is more able to deal with said shades, as opposed to a written law which is black and white.
About time.
I would like to echo Leo and Oliver's sentiments. The code's simplicity is there for a VERY good and useful reason.
The goal was to build precedence over time relying on intelligent, deliberate Justices to reflect the values of eCanadian society.
The fundamental problem of the Court is, and will remain for the foreseeable future, a lack of talented, respected and, above all, active Justices. Until that point, the Court will remain the useless backwater of government it is today.
didnt know there was a criminal code till now... intresting
Some good points are raised by Leo, oliver, and Rearden. Simplicity of the law needs to be balanced by the insight of the Justices. It is a challenge to replace insight with comprehensive laws.
I'm holding off my opinion of the actual proposal until I see it. Nevertheless, my current stance is that the entire Judicial Branch would be best removed and not even replaced by a panel of Congressmen or 'elder statesmen.' Simply put, such attempts at society building do not match game design.
Plugson, if adding a Judicial system to a society is not society building, the whole world is backwards. Laws were put into place to stop crimes, such as theft, and was heavily abused by the royals of the time. That came to an end with the signing of the Magna Carta, maybe you've heard of it. It made people of high power just as vulnerable to a law as the average citizen. Simply put, for a successful society you NEED laws.
I believe C. Buzz, that Plugson is referring to the level of society building currently allowed by game mechanics. Once upon a time, Snimda would actually enforce contract between players. That was when you could truly build a society. Now, well now this game is all about who buys the most gold to get the most daily influence.
"Laws were put into place to stop crimes, such as theft, and was heavily abused by the royals of the time."
And that's the reason why the Supreme Court here is useless. It does nothing to stop crimes. The only power that it holds is the ability to issue a forum ban. Ohnoes, as forum ban. Which btw, isn't a deterrent. In fact, it might be a gift, unless of course the one banned just creates another forum account.
What will stop crimes in eRep is people's willingness to play fair.Creating more laws that try to force people to play fair, lest they be punished on the forum, is going about the rejuvenation of eCanada in a backwards manner
TemujinBC was 'freed' after not paying any fine.
PimpDollaz had his access given back after paying a fraction of the value of his original fine.
Rolo was given full pardon for little in return
An SC should only serve to resolve disputes with forum admins over access
Why fiddle around with all this when we can stop trying to forum ban people and leave that power with the admins and moderators.
I appreciate all your comments. I'm going to look at all of them while revising the Code.
More comments from some newer players would be helpful as well! 🙂
Hey Wombat, Good article, don't have time to post my thoughts atm (heading out) but I will when I get back. Voted.
"Rolo was given full pardon for little in return"
I wasn't aware we had gotten anything in return.
I think what would perhaps be a good start is a body such as congress coming out and clearly stating that a certain action goes against the "duty of honesty and faith".
Congress can't agree on the colour of the sky, good luck getting them to agree on something as difficult as "honesty and good faith".
But, if we do all this, then what are we going to make drama around?