User:Mrmelbert

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Space Law Redraft

Gavel.png This page is an IC roleplay suggestion

It is NOT an official policy for security play.
Administrators will only intervene when you are sentenced to grossly unfair brig sentences. If you get 3 minutes instead of 2, talk to the lawyer as it's considered an IC issue.

If you are playing security, you should be following our rules, policy and precedent first and foremost.


Space Law is a collection of rules and regulations enacted by Nanotrasen which has oversight through CentCom and is enforced by the Sec Officers on the station. Space Law applies to all ranks and positions on station, from the lowliest Assistant to the highest Captain, all are equal under the eyes of the Law and ultimately answer to her.

The rules and regulations herein are not absolutes, instead they exist to serve mainly as guidelines for the law and order of the dynamic situations that exist for stations on the frontiers of space, as such some leeway is permitted.

Crime Codes Quick Reference

Use this to quickly find the Crime Code Numbers.

Crime codes are made up of Category Codes (_xx), which are a collection of similar crimes on a line for ease of use, prefixed by the Severity Number (X__).

Code 1XX - Petty 2XX - Minor 3XX - Medium 4XX - Major 5XX - Capital
01 Assault Battery Aggravated Assault Attempted Murder
02 Resisting Arrest Assault of an Officer
03 Third-Degree Murder or Manslaughter Second-Degree Murder First Degree Murder
04 Possession, Drugs Drug Distribution
05 Possession, Weapons Possession, Restricted Weapons Possession, Explosives
06 Indecent Exposure Rioting Inciting a Riot Mutiny
07 Vandalism Workplace Hazard Sabotage Grand Sabotage
08 Pick-pocketing Petty Theft Theft Grand Theft
09 Trespass Breaking and Entry Major Trespass Breaking and Entry of a Restricted Area
10 Minor Contraband Contraband Major Contraband
11 Insubordination Dereliction of Duty Dereliction to Company
12 Corporate Espionage Member of Enemy Corporation Treason against Nanotrasen



Interpretation of the Law

A good working knowledge of Space Law is important for any person on the station. It can be the difference between a shiny pair of handcuffs and sipping Gargle Blasters in the bar. More in depth interpretations of space law are required for such positions as the Lawyer, Warden, HoP, and the HoS. While it is unlikely that the officers will listen particularly closely to your protestations, it may be enough to lighten your sentence and avoid ill treatment by security.

For certain crimes, the accused's intent is important. The difference between Assault and Attempted Murder can be very hard to ascertain, and, when in doubt, you should default to the less serious crime. It is important to note though, that Assault and Attempted Murder are mutually exclusive. You cannot be charged with Assault and Attempted Murder from the same crime as the intent of each is different. Likewise, 'Assault With a Deadly Weapon' and 'Assaulting an Officer' are also crimes that exclude others. Pay careful attention to the requirements of each law and select the one that best fits the crime when deciding sentence.

In the case of violent crimes (Assault, Manslaughter, Attempted Murder and Murder), and theft (Petty Theft, Pick-Pocketing, Theft, and Grand Theft) take only the most severe.

A single incident has a single sentence, so if, for instance, the prisoner took three items off of someone, this is a single count of pick-pocketing, if they pick-pocketed two people this would be two separate counts of pick-pocketing, and so on.

Aiding a criminal makes you an accomplice; you can be charged with the same crime as the person you aided.


Brig Procedures

Standard Operational Procedures for brigging are as follows:

  1. Take the prisoner to the brig and inform the Warden of their crimes so their Security Record may be updated.
  2. Take the prisoner to a brig cell, set the time and activate the timer.
  3. Enter the cell with the prisoner in tow, open the cell locker and hold the prisoner over it.
  4. Empty their pockets and remove their gloves, backpacks, tool belt, gas masks, and any flash resistant equipment such as Sunglasses, Welding Masks/Goggles, Space Helmets, etc.
  5. Buckle the prisoner to the bed.
  6. Search the items removed and be sure to check the internals box in their backpack.
  7. Confiscate any contraband and/or stolen items, as well as any tools that may be used for future crimes.
    These are to be placed in evidence, not left on the brig floor or your personal use, until they can be returned to their rightful owners.
  8. Close the locker and lock it.
  9. Stun the prisoner, remove their cuffs, stun them again, pick up the cuffs then leave the cell.
  10. Modify their brig sentence for additional offences or good behavior, if applicable.

Do NOT fully strip the prisoner unless they have earned a permanent sentence.

In the event of a sentence exceeding the 10 minute limit of the timer inform the Warden so he may add the rest of the time later.

In the instance of prisoners that have earned Labor Camp duty, you must dress them in orange overalls and assign them targets, based on their sentence, by getting a prison ID, putting it in a Prisoner Management Console, assigning their quota (with a conversion rate of 100 points per minute otherwise served in the brig) and then giving them the ID as you ship them to the Labor Camp. There are more details on this procedure at Labor Camp.**

NOTE: In the current revision of TG, Mineral spawn is heavily reduced in the gulag area. If you plan on using the gulag for several incidences [meaning the floors are already mined so people can't mine the floors for glass], you should use a lower conversion rate.

The Warden or Head of Security are responsible for placing prisoners and in permanent confinement.

  1. Permanent Prisoners are to be completely stripped of their belongings, which are to be held in either evidence or a prison locker.
  2. The prisoner is to be dressed in an Orange Prison Jumpsuit and Shoes, which are found in the prison lockers.
  3. Permanent Prisoners are not permitted to possess any personal belongings whilst they are incarcerated in the Prison Wing.
    1. The Labor Camp can also be used to hold Permanent Prisoners. Simply do not issue a prisoner ID when transferring them to the camp.

Legal Representation and Trials

Prisoners are permitted to seek legal representation however you are under no obligation to provide or allow this.

Lawyers, and by extension the Head of Personnel, exist to serve as a guiding hand and the voice of reason within the judicial process, however they have zero authority over the brig, security personnel, prisoners, or sentencing.

The Lawyer's security headset is a privilege not a right. Security personnel are under no requirement to listen to them and security channel abuse is to result in that privilege being revoked.
If the lawyer continuously acts as a disruptive influence Security are fully permitted to confiscate their access, remove them from the brig and bar their future access to it.


In instances where a conflict of opinion arises over the sentence of a prisoner the chain of command must be followed. This goes, from top to bottom: Captain > Head of Security > Warden > Sec Officer / Detective.

Trials are not to be performed for Timed Sentences. This is mainly for the benefit of the accused as trials will often run many times the length of the actual sentence.
Trials may be performed for Capital Crimes and Permanent Detention, however there is no requirement to hold them. Forensic Evidence, Witness Testimony, or Confessions are all that is required for the Head of Security, Warden or Captain to authorize their sentence.

In cases where the Death Penalty is desired but the Captain or Acting-Captain is unable or unwilling to authorize the execution a trial is required to authorise the death penalty.

Use of Deadly Force

As a member of the stations Security force you are one of the best armed and protected people on the station, equipped with the almost latest in non-lethal takedown technology.

It is for this reason that the situations that warrant the use of Deadly Force are few and far between, in the grand majority of circumstances you will be expected to use your stun weapons, which indeed are many times more effective than lethal options, to diffuse a situation.

There are a few circumstances where deadly force is permissible:

  • Code Red Situation - situations which would warrant a Code Red, such as: full blown mutinies, hostile boarding parties, and Space Wizards automatically authorise lethal force.
    Note: The Alert Status is not required to be elevated to Code Red as in most of these scenarios the Chain of Command will be too damaged or otherwise occupied to raise the Alert Level.
  • Non-Lethal Weapons Ineffective - certain targets are impervious to NLWs, such as Mechs, Xenomorphs, Borgs, and Hulks. Lethal force may be used against these targets if they prove hostile.
  • Severe Personal Risk - sometimes getting close enough to a target to slap the cuffs on will create significant personal risk to the Officer. Deadly force from range is recommended to subdue Wizards and Changelings.
    • Criminals in hostile environments such as space, fire, or plasma leaks also fall into this category, as do criminals believed to be in possession of high explosives. Ranged lethal force is the only reasonable option in these conditions.
  • Armed and Dangerous - if a suspect is in possession of weapons, including stun weapons, and you have reasonable suspicion that they will use these against you, lethal force is permitted. Although in the majority of cases it is still preferable to attempt to detain them non-lethally.
    • Unauthorized personnel in the armory are considered by default to be Armed and Dangerous, maximum force is permitted to subdue such targets.
  • Multiple Hostiles - it can be extremely difficult to detain multiple hostiles. As a last resort if you are being mobbed you may deploy your baton in a harmful manner to thin the crowd. Generally it is better to retreat and regroup than stand your ground.

Additionally, in the event of an attempted prison break, Security may fire lasers through the glass. They are expected to first fire a few warning shots before unloading their weapon into the target.



Petty Crimes

These crimes usually carry a 1 minute sentence or a 50 credit fine (About one paycheck).

Code Crime Description Notes
104 Libertycap.png Drug Possession To possess space drugs or other narcotics by unauthorised personnel. Botanists, Medical staff, and Science Personnel are authorized to possess drugs for purposes of their jobs and are not subject to this law, so long as they are not distributing or using them for profit or recreation.
108 Pickpocketing.png Pick-pocketing To take items directly off of one's person. This can include taking items while a person is incapacitated or otherwise unaware. Be sure to return the items to the person after admitting the suspect. Sentence depends on the value of the stolen goods - IDs and other hard-to-replace items would incur a higher sentence.


Minor Crimes

All of these crimes carry a 2 minute sentence or a 100 credit fine (Two paychecks).

Code Crime Description Notes
201 Assault.png Assault To attempt cause bodily harm. Bodily harm can be caused in ways other than force, such as poisoning. Using force is Battery (Often called Assault and Battery).
202 Resisting Arrest.PNG Resisting Arrest To not cooperate with an officer who attempts a proper arrest. Follow proper arrest procedure and have a legitimate cause to arrest in the first place before you brig a suspect for this. Suspects who scream bloody murder while being arrested are not cooperating.
204 Narcotics Distribution.PNG Narcotics Distribution To distribute narcotics and other controlled substances. Forcing or tricking someone to consume substances such as space drugs is assault.
206 Indecent exposure.png Indecent Exposure To be intentionally and publicly unclothed.
207 Vandalism.PNG Vandalism To deliberately damage the station with malicious intent. Sentence depends on quantity and value of property damaged.
208 Petty theft.png Petty Theft To take items from areas one does not have access to or to take items belonging to others or the station as a whole. Keeping items which are in short supply where they belong is what is important here. A doctor who takes all the surgical tools and hides them still commits theft, even though he had access.
209 Trespassing.png Trespass To be in an area which a person does not have permission. Be sure to check whether the suspect was given permission by staff before arresting. Remember, just because someone has access to an area on an ID card, does not mean they have permission to be there by the department's head. Access can be stolen or gained illicitly. Forced entry is Breaking and Entry.



Medium Crimes

All of these crimes carry a 3 minute sentence or a 100 point target at the Labor Camp, optional for the suspect you are arresting.

Code Crime Description Notes
301 Assault.png Battery To use physical force against someone without the apparent intent to kill them. Often called "Assault and Battery". Battery is often done on station to enact revenge on someone (the intent not being to kill). If done with a weapon or with intent to commit a greater crime, it is instead Aggravated Assault.
303 Manslaughter.PNG Third Degree Murder or Manslaughter To commit murder without intent to kill. Murder by accident is manslaughter. Murder committed with intent to bodily harm but not to kill is third degree murder.
305 Deadly Weapon.PNG Possession of a Weapon To be in possession of a dangerous item that is not part of their job role. Items capable of a high level of damage, such as saws, axes, and hatchets fit into this category. Do remember that if it is an item that is part of their job they are permitted to carry it.
306 Rioting.PNG Rioting To partake in an unauthorized and disruptive assembly of crewmen that refuse to disperse. It is required that the crowd was ordered to disperse - failure to disperse is the crime, NOT the assembly. Any crimes committed during the riot are considered separate offenses.
307 Workplace Hazard.PNG Creating a Workplace Hazard To endanger the crew or station through negligent or irresponsible, but not deliberately malicious, actions. Some examples of this crime include causing a plasma leak, dangerous slipping hazard, electrifying doors, breaking windows to space, or security personnel not keeping their equipment secure. If the crime was committed via accident, leeway should be shown.
308 Theft.PNG Theft To steal restricted items. Weapons fall into this category, as do valuable items that are in limited supply such as insulated gloves, spacesuits, and jetpacks.
Note that Cargo breaking open crates to illegally arm and armor themselves are guilty of theft.
309 BandE.PNG Breaking and Entry Forced entry to areas where the subject does not have access to. Breaking and Entry charges can still be applied if they do not enter the area themselves.
311 Insubordination.PNG Insubordination To disobey a lawful direct order from one's superior. Often issued by a head of staff to one of their direct subordinates. The person is usually demoted, rather than incarcerated.
312 Temp Corporate Espionage To engage in acts of corporate espionage with unconfirmed allegiance Corporate Espionage includes spying on corporate activity and theft of high value items. A tracking implant should be considered depending on severity of the act. If the suspect's allegiance is confirmed to be associated with an enemy entity, such as The Syndicate, this can be upgraded to Member of Enemy Corporation. Confirmation would include finding a Syndicate uplink, eye witnesses, or other proof of one's allegiance to another company.



Major Crimes

These crimes carry a service at the Labor Camp, with a 500 point target or a five minute brig sentence.

Code Crime Description Notes
401 Assault Deadly Weapon.PNG Aggravated Assault To use physical force, through a deadly weapon, against someone without the apparent intent to kill. Any variety of tools, chemicals, or even construction materials can inflict serious injury in short order, and as such can be considered under Aggravated Assault.
402 Assaulting an officer.PNG Assault of an Officer To use physical force against a department head or member of security without the apparent intent to kill. Criminals who attempt to disarm or grab officers while fleeing are guilty of this, even if bare handed. Officers should refrain from using lethal means to subdue the criminal, if possible.
403 Temp Second Degree Murder To commit a murder with intent to kill, but not premeditated. Hiding the body after the murder would fall under premeditated. If the suspect did not hide the body, or even brought the body to medical, the killing is not premeditated.
405 Lethal Weapon.PNG Possession of a Restricted Weapon To be in possession of a restricted weapon without prior authorization, such as: Guns, Batons, Flashes, Grenades, etc. Any item that can cause severe bodily harm or incapacitate for a significant time. Note that combat mechs can fall under this category. The following personnel have unrestricted license to carry weapons and firearms: The Captain, the Head of Personnel, all Security Personnel, and the Bartender. Additionally, department heads are authorized personal defense weaponry.
Only the Captain and Head of Security can issue weapon permits.
406 Inciting Riot.PNG Inciting a Riot To attempt to stir the crew into a riot In addition to the brig time, the offender will also have restrictions placed on their radio traffic and be implanted with a tracking implant. For second offenses, or outright instigating violent uprisings, consider upgrading the charge to Mutiny.
407 Disrupting power.png Sabotage To hinder the work of the crew or station through malicious actions. Deliberately releasing N2O, bolting doors, disabling the power network, and constructing barricades are but some of many means of sabotage. For more violent forms, see Grand Sabotage.
408 High value target theft.png Grand Theft To steal items of high value or sensitive nature. The item in question should be confiscated placed under high security watch, such as in the care of a departmental head or the armory. See: High Value Items


409 Major Trespass.PNG Trespass of a Restricted Area To be in a restricted area which a person does not have permission. See: Restricted Areas. More secure areas, such as the Bridge, Captain's Quarters, the Armory may incur more severe punishments. Forcing entry is Breaking and Entry.
411 Dereliction.PNG Dereliction of Duty To willfully abandon an obligation that is critical to the station's continued operation. A demotion is often included in the sentence. Emphasis on the word critical: An officer taking a break is not dereliction in of itself. An officer taking a break knowing that operatives are shooting up the Captain is. Engineers who do not secure a power source at the start of the shift and heads of staff who abandon the station can also be charged.
412 Antag skum.png Member of Enemy Corporation To be a member of an enemy corporation Suspects should be implanted with a tracking and / or chemical implant with a mix depending on their lethality and willingness to cooperate. Enemies of Nanotrasen include: The Syndicate and their allies (through secret agents, changeling monstrosities, boarding parties, and brainwashing specialists (put links to antag here)), The Wizard Federation, and The Cult of Nar'Sie.
If the suspect proves difficult, the punishment may be upgraded to a Permabrigging, and if they are impossible to contain, execution may be pursued.



Capital Crimes

These crimes can result in Execution, Permanent Prison Time, Permanent Labor Camp Time, or Cyborgization.
Only the Captain, HoS, and Warden can authorize a Permanent Sentence.
Only the Captain can authorize an Execution or Forced Cyborgization.

Code Crime Description Notes
501 Attempted Murder.PNG Attempted Murder To use physical force against a person until that person is in a critical state with the apparent intent to kill them. Remember, if a person attempts to render first aid after the victim falls into a critical state they may not have intend to kill them. If the murder was successful, it's not "attempted murder" anymore, it's just "murder".
503 Murder.PNG First Degree Murder To commit a premeditated killing. Premeditated means the killing was pre-planned and the suspect had intent to murder. Hiding a body or otherwise preventing the victim's revival after the murder is an instance of premeditated murder.
505 Possession Explosives.PNG Possession of Explosives To be in possession of an explosive device. Intent to use said explosives is important. Scientists and Miners are permitted to possess explosives only within their respective departments and Lavaland. Ordnance Technicians should not distribute explosives to the crew, either.
506 Mutiny.PNG Mutiny To act individually, or as a group, to overthrow or subvert the established Chain of Command without lawful and legitimate cause. Mutiny is not as clear cut as it may seem, there may be a legitimate reason for their actions, such as their head of staff being utterly incompetent. This is one of the few crimes where it is recommended to always seek a third party opinion. If their actions are determined to be for the betterment of Nanotrasen consider a timed sentence or even a full pardon.
507 Compromising Station Integrity.PNG Grand Sabotage To engage in maliciously destructive actions, seriously threatening crew or station. Bombing, arson, releasing viruses, deliberately exposing areas to space, physically destroying machinery or electrifying doors all count as Grand Sabotage.
509 BE Restricted.PNG Breaking and Entry of a Restricted Area Forced entry to a restricted area where the subject does not have access to. As a major crime sentences start at 5 minutes, but can be extended if security believes break in was for attempted Grand Theft or attempted Grand Sabotage (yellow gloves don't count as grand theft).
511 Dereliction.PNG Dereliction of Company To willfully abandon your obligation to Nanotrasen. Interfering with Central Command personnel visiting the station is one example. Often handled via court martial at Central Command instead of station-side.
512 Antag skum.png Treason Against Nanotrasen To commit treason against the company, actively working against the mission state of Space Station 13 Mass Murder and destruction of large parts of the station by someone who is known to be a member of a hostile corporation. This is effectively the highest crime one can be charged with, and should only be reserved for those completely unwilling to cooperate and are only intent complete destruction of the station and her crew.



Modifiers & Special Situations

Situation Description Modification

Re-education

Getting de-converted from revolutionary or cultist. Immediate release.
Self Defense Self Defense is defined as "The protection of oneself, the protection of thy colleagues, and the protection of thine workplace".
Do note however that persons intentionally getting involved in fights which occur in a department that isn't theirs is an act of vigilantism, this is not permitted.
Immediate release.

Cooperation with prosecution or security

Being helpful to the members of security, revealing things during questioning or providing names of head revolutionaries. -25% to sentence time. In the case of revealing a head revolutionary: Immediate release.
Surrender Coming to the brig, confessing what you've done and taking the punishment. Getting arrested without putting a fuss is not surrender. For this, you have to actually come to the brig yourself. -25% to sentence time, and should be taken into account when the choice between life in a secure cell, execution, and cyborgization is made.

Immediate threat to the prisoner

The singularity eats something near the brig, an explosion goes off, etc. Officer must relocate the prisoner(s) to a safe location; otherwise, immediate release.
Medical reasons Prisoners are entitled to medical attention if sick or injured. Medical personnel can be called, or the prisoner can be escorted to the Medbay. The timer continues to run during this time.
Sparking a Manhunt In addition to Resisting Arrest, a prisoner that must be chased for at least 2 minutes after an arrest is attempted can have their sentence increased. 1 minute added to their sentence for every 2 minutes the chase lasted.
Repeat Offender If a convict reoffends after being released they may receive a harsher punishment. Depending on the severity of the crimes committed after the third, or even second, strike their sentence may be increased to Permanent Imprisonment. Additional brig time.
Escape from Brig If a prisoner flees confinement for any reason other than to escape impending lethal danger (fire, hull breach, murder), reset their timer to their full original punishment. Reset timer.
Aiding and Abetting Knowingly assisting a criminal is a crime. This includes but is not limited to: Interfering with an arrest, stealing a prisoner in transit, breaking a prisoner out of the brig/prison, hiding a fugitive, providing medical care (unless paired with a large dose of sleep toxins). The same sentence as the original criminal.