(06-09-2016, 09:16 PM)desmond28 Wrote: The closest thing we have is tribunals in the game, unless I have missed something (and very well could have).Ah! Thanks for the read, and thanks for everyone's input above. What the poster in your linked article says makes a lot of sense.
Here is an interesting read, however.
http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=4304
However I think there is still a bit more we can add to our theoretical list of laws. Even as far back as Roman Times there was a Statute of Limitations. And sometimes in our Detective dramas that can play an important role. I would imagine that each city state has its own statute of limitations, Ul'dah for instance having a complicated system of many different statutes for different types of crimes. The Statute for Contracts and property related deals could be quite high, from 20-30 years. Then for things such as violence, the Statute of limitations could be low, as it happens so often and the corrupt in the brass blades and (higher ups who use violence to silence the minorities) would want to avoid having to deal with these cases as much as possible. Say 1-3 years. And the statute for violent crimes that involve murder or sexual slavery could last like 10 years. Meanwhile in Limsa, they may carry a general statute of limitations. where most crimes are given a 20 year period to be solved. I could see Gridania and Ishgard as not really having a statute of limitations at all though. Seeing as how no matter when they did it, any crime against the twelveswood could cause danger. And in Ishgard if you are at any point proven to be guilty, they will probably lock you up forever. The first will still probably give you a fair trial, but the second probably won't.
I also think that certain voices would be valued far more for evidence than others. I believe in Gridania, if you are a Keeper Miqo'te going against an Elezen citizen, his word will be held as more reliable than your own. Subjecting characters to prejudice based upon their race. I am sure Gridania still is not all that fond of outsiders. Meanwhile in Ul'dah it would be far less racially based, and more socially based. If you are high in the social class, your word will be valued more than a peasants. Making it harder to win a case against those of upper class and easier against those of lower class. Limsa is probably the fairest of all the courts to be convicted in, not discriminating so much about about race or social class.
Lastly I also think there may be rules and regulations on which city state will even take your case, if at all. If you are in Ul'dah and a crime is committed against you, but you are of poor social creed, you may have a very hard time in those trials. And you won't be able to have the trial done within Gridania or Limsa because it is out of their jurisdiction. If you are a Citizen of Gridania but a crime is committed against you in Ul'dah. Then I think in the case of non violent crime, your only option will be through Ul'dah's court systems. However if it is a violent crime? Then Gridanian officials will step in to protect one of their own, even if they may not be able to catch the criminal. They can set out a warrant for their arrest if they ever step within the shroud. I think Gridania would be the best city state to be a citizen of if you are looking for protection from violent crime wherever you are. Limsa to a lesser extent. And Ul'dah is mixed depending on how much money you have, they will probably impede upon other city states in cases regarding property with their citizens (Making citizenship ideal if you are a trader)
What do you all think of these ideas? It can add more challenge in regards to lawyers having to defend their clients and adds more leeway for criminals. Because being a private investigator can't be all fun and games. The best detective stories are the ones where the laws or bureaucracy are kind of against you. But you still try your hardest to bring justice.
P.S. In regards to evidence permissible in a court of law. I would imagine you still have to get warrants in each city state (Except perhaps Ishgard) in order to do a search. In order to get a warrant there needs to be more evidence than just a witness. I actually kind of wonder if Ul'dah wouldn't be the only city state to implement a warning at the beginning of the conversation in order for a conversation to be valid as evidence (However it may only qualify for Ul'dahn citizens). I can't see why a port city of pirates would care too much about warnings (Or be smart enough to remember it), or why Gridania or Ishgard would ever restrain themselves if they felt their social order was in danger merely because the accused wasn't "warned" their words may be used against them. You probably are not given a lawyer in any city state as a freebie. If you are poor you are on your own unless you can convince someone to help you. I could see Ul'dah forcing you to get a lawyer however, and pull a loan in order to get one if you are called to court. (I am sure the money will make its way back to the syndicate somehow)