Table of Contents
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Overview
The JAG Corps is the legal branch of the Colonial Fleet, tasked with advising the Fleet on all legal matters related to the conduct of military operations. It primarily concerns itself with enforcement of the Colonial Code of Military Justice (CCMJ), details of which can be found on this page.
Organizational Structure
JAG is laid out differently then most other departments. Where as other departments have a clear structure, JAG are considered 'Senior' or 'Junior' Partners and report directly to the 'Judge Advocate', typically a Colonel, Commander or Admiral back at Fleet JAG Head Quarters. On board a deployed fleet vessel the senior-most JAG reports to the ship's Commanding Officer or Executive Officer. However, they may also report a situation to the relevant Department Head if the CO and XO are unavailable. It is quite possible for a Captain to be considered a Senior Partner, while a Major is considered a Junior Partner. Legal Aides report and subordinate to all lawyers, Senior or Junior. Amongst the Legal Aides, regardless of rank, no one is subordinate to the other.
The CoC (Chain of Command) for JAG looks like this:
Judge Advocate General
The Assistant Judge Advocate General
Senior Partners - Judge Advocates
Junior Partners - Judge Advocates
Legal Aides
Departments
- Judges
- Prosecutor's Office
- Defense Counsel
- Fleet Police
Military Law
The foundation of military law is established by the Colonial Code of Military Justice (CCMJ), of which all members of the armed forces are subject to. The CCMJ sets forth, among other things, rights of the accused, procedures and authorities for court martial, punitive articles (crimes), and punishments. For RP purposes, you can assume that the CCMJ is generally equivalent to the United States Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This is what staff uses as the basis for offenses and punishments.
The CCMJ is implemented by the Judge Advocate General (JAG), which appoints court officers to prosecute, defend, and judge the guilt or innocence of the accused. Officially, all military officers are vested the power to enforce the CCMJ, but practically, designated units carry out this function. Aboard the Orion, this unit is the military police detachment of the Colonial Marines. On smaller ships, such as fleet patrol vessels, Navy personnel may be charged with these duties.
When an arrest is made, the immediate commanding officer of the accused is designated the convening authority. This person is the only one with the power to initiate criminal proceedings. The authority should investigate (or direct investigation of) the case and decide to:
- Dismiss the charges, citing lack of merit or evidence. As a matter of policy, dismissed cases are expunged from the service member's records. In some cases, the commanding officer may dismiss the charges with a verbal warning and "off-the-record" punishment such as extra duty or cleaning the heads. This is usually done if the commander believes the soldier deserves a chance to redeem himself without a formal black mark on his record.
- Perform non-judicial punishment (NJP), to administratively punish the accused without a trial. This can only be done for minor crimes (misdemeanors), and the maximum punishments are limited. They can include: a formal letter of reprimand, reduction in rank (possible only for enlisted personnel E3 and under), confinement not to exceed one week, or up to 30 days restriction (house arrest, loss of shore leave or other privileges, etc.). NJP results in a black mark on the accused's permanent file. The accused may request a court martial in lieu of non-judicial punishment.
- Convene a court martial, a formal trial with greater scope of authority but greater logistical inconvenience. More information below.
A distinction should be made between officer and commanding officer. For example, a platoon leader is typically an officer, but the commanding officer is the company commander. In the Orion theme, the commanding officer would be the department head. A superior commanding officer may take over as convening authority at any time.
Court Martial
A court martial (pl: courts martial) is a formal military trial. It is an adversarial process with trial counsel, defense counsel, judge, and panel (jury). A court martial is convened when requested by a lawful convening authority. The most senior JAG official may act as judge. There are three types of courts martial, with decreasing scope:
- General, a complete trial with a full panel of six peers, with no limitations on punishment. Only general courts martial may impose the death penalty or separation from service.
- Special, a trial with a panel of three senior officers, including the judge. There are sentencing limitations, such as a maximum of six months confinement, and some crimes are excluded from trial by special court martial.
- Summary, a lesser trial with no panel, counsel or judges. It's more of a hearing in front of a single officer (usually the convening authority) who plays all the roles. The accused must be enlisted. There are much more sentencing limitations, such as a maximum of one month confinement.
In all cases, the judge determines severity of sentence, whereas the panel is only concerned with a verdict. The accused may request a general court martial.
Practical Considerations
The Colonial Code of Military Justice entrusts officers to maintain the integrity of the code by affording them the authority to make arrests. However, it is considered in poor taste for (1) a junior officer to perform an arrest, (2) any officer to arrest a service member not under his or her command, and (3) any officer to threaten arrest for minor (misdemeanor) offenses. These actions erode leadership and morale, and in the second case, fosters ill will between departments.
In practice, if an officer witnesses what he or she believes to be a crime, a complaint should be lodged with that individual's commanding officer. The exception is if the individual is behaving in such a manner so as to cause mortal danger to himself or herself or others. This means, practically, that only the individual's commanding officer may arrest the individual.
Enlisted Law Enforcement
Enlisted members of law enforcement (Military Police) have the power of detainment, an action officially distinct from but practically equal to an arrest. When an individual is detained, law enforcement have a limited time to locate the individual's commanding officer, who may then decide whether or not to arrest. Although detainment should not be used as a form of punishment, it is the de facto response for minor offenses. Frequently, commanding officers will simply allow the maximum time for detainment to expire and let that serve as a warning.
Other (non-MP) enlisted crew members do not have the power of detainment, and must contact the MPs to file a report if a crime is witnessed. They are permitted to subdue an individual who is behaving in such a manner so as to cause mortal danger to himself or herself or others.
Civilian Law under Martial Law
When there is implementation of martial law, the civilian legal system will be abolished and the military police have authority on all ships in the fleet. Civilians may be tried in military courts and are subject to military law. To use a RL parallel, the entire fleet can essentially be considered one big military base. Since civilians have no commanding officer to act as the convening authority, this role is filled by the officer in charge of security. In the Orion theme, this is the Marine S2.
Example: Military Police detain a civilian for disturbing the peace. The S2 reviews the MP's report and decides (usually in consultation with the JAG office) whether to bring formal charges or not. If formal charges are made, the S2 then decides whether to impose
Non-Judicial Punishment or Convene a Court Martial?
Non-judicial punishment for civilians is subject to the same restrictions as for military crew, but with some additional practical considerations. Obviously a formal letter of reprimand has little effect on a civilian, and you can't reduce a civilian in rank. However, the other punishments still apply, including confinement, restrictions (reduction in rations, restricted movement, etc.) or forced duty (akin to community service). As with military personnel, civilians can appeal NJP and request a full court martial (trial) instead.
Civilian Law
Civilians who commit crimes on the civilian ships, as well as military personnel who commit crimes against civilians, may be tried and punished under the civilian legal system. This is made available in the potentiality that the Joint Task Force encounters any civilian ships in the future and takes them on as a protectorate. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Prosecutor's Office
The government's chief law enforcement officer is the Fleet Prosecutor. He represents the government in criminal cases and is charged with defending the public peace. To aid in this task, he is joined by a group of clerks and associate prosecutors and together make up the Prosecutor's Office. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Fleet Police
Subordinate to the Fleet Prosecutor is the Chief of Police. He is responsible for the everyday preservation of law and order and supervises the Fleet's professional, armed police force. The force is functionally divided into stations, with each station (one per ship) commanded by a captain. The ranks of the police are: Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, Inspector, Sergeant, Officer (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Defense Counsel
The accused has the right to defense counsel. There is no public defender's office. The accused is assigned an attorney, selected at random from the pool of all attorneys who are not part of the Prosecutor's Office. This attorney is paid for by the government. If the accused wishes to hire their own attorney, they may do so out of their own pocket. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Judges
Judges are appointed by a Fleet Council and preside over all trials. To assure impartiality, judges are appointed for long terms and may only be removed for egregious improprieties. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Criminal Charges
In Colonial law, crimes are not committed against individuals but rather against the public peace. Offenders are brought to trial by the Prosecutor's Office, in the name of the government, and not by the offended party. For example: The Prosecutor's Office will be the one pressing charges for assault, not the person who was assaulted. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Civil Suits
At the present time, civil suits (i.e. one person suing another for damages) are not handled by the justice system, only criminal charges. Civil matters may be brought before the Ship Captain or the Fleet Council. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Warrants
A police officer must get a warrant (signed by a judge) to search private property or arrest someone. The only exceptions are if there is immediate danger (for example: a scream heard from within a residence) or if the officer directly witnesses a crime being committed. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Arraignment and Bail
Once arrested, the accused is arraigned in front of a judge within 48 hours. At the arraignment, the accused enters a plea: guilty, not guilty, or no contest (same punishment as pleading guilty but technically you aren't convicted of the crime). Normally people are released while awaiting trial, so there is really no bail. The prosecutors, however, can argue at the arraignment that the accused is a danger to the Fleet and should be kept until trial. The judge has the final say. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Trials
If the defendant pleads not guilty, the matter goes to trial, usually after a few weeks to give both sides time to prepare their cases. Criminal court is an adversarial process in which the prosecutor and defense counsel argue their case in front of a neutral judge. The burden of proof is on the prosecution. The government must prove "beyond a reasonable doubt" that the accused committed the crime. Because of the Fleet's special circumstances, a trial by jury is not recognized. A single judge hears the case and decides the verdict and the punishment. (Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System)
Punishment
With resources limited as they are, having prisoners languish in cells without contributing back to society is problematic. The death penalty is also frowned upon, given the already dismal number of human beings left in the Fleet. Forced labor, fines, limited confinement (i.e., being let out only to work), loss of privileges (like improved housing) and other creative punishments are all possible punishments.
Appeals
A verdict may be appealed once. A court of appeals convenes as a committee of three judges that hear matters of law and not of fact. For example, a verdict may be overturned if it is found that the prosecutor mislabeled evidence.
Jurisdiction
Not Applicable at this time - No Civilian Legal System. MP's retain jurisdiction over civilian ships.
MPs have jurisdiction over military personnel, regardless of where they are. That means they can go over to arrest an AWOL pilot, for example, or a wayward engineer that started a fight in somewhere. If the military person committed a crime against a civilian on civilian ground, there's joint jurisdiction and usually the courts will cede jurisdiction to one side or the other.
Incoming Skinjob Defectors Policy
This is the official, approved policy regarding skinjobs at this time.
Military Tribunal
A Military Tribunal will consist of those individuals who are of good standing within the the Colonial Armed Forces (Colonial Armed Forces includes all Civilian and Military Resistance) and hold an official rank above E1 or O1 (above Crewman, Private, or Ensign). The tribunal will consist of no less than two and no more than twelve. The Tribunal will hear cases under the guidance of JAG and can be used if a member of JAG is not available.
Definition of Individual for Skin Cylon(s):
A Skin Cylon are living organisms who are capable of intelligent thought and higher emotion. Because of this they are to be treated as living beings and individuals, therefore are to be given some of the same rights that are granted to Human Prisoners of War. Therefore they are to be subjected to Colonial Federal Law and Military Law in cases where they are being tried for Crimes Against Humanity.
These types of Cylons who have gone rogue from their conditioning and have proven to JAG and a Military Tribunal that they are not a threat to the Colonial Armed Forces and Colonial Civilian population, and has been declared by JAG and Military Tribunal that they are not a threat, will be able to apply for reinstatement into the military and be allowed to apply for citizenship into the Colonies. As an individual they will receive all the liberties associated with being an individual. If the individual Skin Cylon’s body passes away and they are 'uploaded' into a new body, the Skin Cylon must prove again they have gone rogue and are not a threat to the Colonial populace and Armed forces. Until they have once again been declared by JAG and or a Military Tribunal that they are not a threat they will not be granted the above rights, instead they will be treated as a prisoner of war. Once they have been declared not a threat and that they are indeed an individual then all rights and liberties associated with this declaration will be granted.
All Skin Cylons who are declared to be not a threat to the Colonies will be granted an identification card and will need to have an identifying mark of their choosing. If the Cylon becomes a citizen of the Colonies the identification card will show that status.
Application of Citizenship for Skin Cylon(s)
Any and all Skin Cylon individuals who served in the military and have risked life and limb for the safety and welfare of the colonies can be given the status of Citizen to the Colonies.
The individual must show the following characteristics:
- Good moral character
- Attachment to the Colonies by taking an Oath of Allegiance to the Colonial Federal Government.
- Sponsorship of an officer. In cases where the person in question is an officer, the sponsor must be a rank or higher than the Skin Cylon within the Colonial Armed Forces. A Cylon may not sponsor another Skin Cylon in the case of Citizenship. The sponsor must be a naturally born citizen of the Colonies.
Qualified members of the Colonial Armed Forces are exempt from other naturalization requirements. All aspects of the naturalization process, including applications, interviews and ceremonies must be made before qualified and ranking individuals within the Judge Advocate General (JAG) and or a Military Tribunal.
An individual who obtains citizenship through military service and separates from the military under “other than honorable conditions” before completing five years of honorable service may have their citizenship revoked.
If the sponsor is found to be an infiltrator the all rights are suspended until it has been reasonably proven to JAG or a Military Tribunal that the infiltrator was acting alone.
Limitation: Those individuals who are claiming they are citizens or were granted citizenships before a confirmed death of their body are subject to having to repeat the process. Citizenship is only granted to an individual and the body that the individual has been provided with at the time the oath of citizenship is taken.
Skin Cylon(s) Military Service, Commission and Enlistment
Skin Cylons who have served in the Colonial Armed Forces and have shown that they are adroit and have required knowledge of military protocol and or related fields can petition to JAG and or a military tribunal to (re)gain their Commission. Those Skin Cylons who are looking to remain in the military as a Non Commissioned Officer may petition for (re)enlistment. Prior Service records will be obtained where possible and/or testimony of service will be used by the JAG and or the Military Tribunal. JAG and the Military Tribunal also have the right to test the individual on their aptitudes and knowledge. JAG and the Military Tribunal reserve the right to issue ranks lower than what the individual claims to have had. New oaths of allegiance must be obtained prior to the individual returning to their command and or units.
Cylons Apprehend as Sleeper Agents
Any and all Skin Cylons and/or Sleeper Agents who are caught committing acts of war against the Colonial Armed Forces will be apprehended and dealt with according to prior Military Procedures.
Treatment of Skin Cylon(s) as Prisoners of War:
Skin Cylons that are taken as Prisoners of war will be treated as such. They receive all the benefits outlined within this document. The POW will be put on trial for crimes committed against the Colonies if they are caught or said to have committed crimes. If found guilty they will be punished as per the law and the their punishment will fit the crime as is outlined in both Federal Colonial and Military Law. They are not subject Colonial Common law.
All POWs who are taken into custody will be need to be submitted to medical for testing to ensure that they are not a Skin Cylon. If they are found to be a Skin Cylon they will then be considered to be beings but not individuals. Because of the unique nature of the Skin Cylon they will need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of Federal Colonial Law and the Laws that govern the Colonial Military for crimes against humanity if they are found to be a threat.
Any and all Skin Cylon who are apprehended and taken into custody will be considered a Prisoner of War. Prisoners of War are in the custody of the hostile Government, not of the individual which captured them and are subject to the following:
- The detaining Power is required to provide for the maintenance of prisoners of war in its charge.
- Prisoners of war may not be interned in any town, fortress or other place that is considered a safe heaven for civilians of the Colonies. All Prisoners of war are not to have any contact with the Civilian population.
- All prisoners of war will not be given access to any technology.
If charged with a crime the Skin Cylon and or prisoner(s) are to be taken before JAG and or Military Tribunal to be given a fair trial. Should the trial be considered 'unfair', the defense may petition for a new tribunal before the tribunal goes to debate. If the prisoner is found guilty, justice will be dispensed within the designated guidelines set forth in the code and laws that govern the Federal Colonial government and the Colonial Armed Forces.
Political Asylum for Cylon
Any and all Skin Cylon asking for Political Asylum will be taken before JAG and or a Military Tribunal. JAG and the Military Tribunal will then weight the case. During this time the Skin Cylon are not to have any contact with the Colonial Civilian Population until the Colonial Armed Forces have deemed them non-threatening. During this time the Skin Cylon may remain in the Custody of the Colonial Armed Forces, after testimony and case has been heard the Colonial Armed Forces may choose to either grant Amnesty or deny it. If it is denied, the Skin Cylon can be released away from Fleet and the Civilian Population or taken as a Prisoner of War. It is during this time that the Tribunal and or JAG can declare the Skin Cylon to be an Individual.