Marine Law

From Rouny's Marine Corps 14 Wiki

The Uniform Code of Military Justice commonly known as Marine Law is the foundation of the system of military justice of the United Nations Marine Corps, It's enforced by the Military Police Corps with the Provost Marshal Office having final say in any judicial matters.

Standard Operating Procedure is also related to this.

The Chain Of Command is used in some sections.

Basics

  • Command and MP are required to both enforce the law and abide by it, where allowed by their position on the ship.
  • On UNMC warships and operations, the law is enforced by the MPs and Chief MP, and they operate independently from the normal command structure ONLY in matters related to the enforcement of the Law.
  • The Commanding Officer of the warship has the final say on law enforcement within their operational area unless overseen by higher officials of the Provost Marshal Office or High Command.
  • MP may, at their discretion, ignore Minor Crimes unless they are ordered to enforce one.
  • MP cannot be ordered to ignore Minor Crimes.
  • MP breaking the law in any capacity cannot be ignored.

Should MPs disagree on cases, Marine Law rank structure must be followed.

  • Provost Marshal Office > Commanding Officer > Chief MP > Warden > MP > Deputized MP

Definitions

These definitions are used throughout the rest of Marine Law.

Commanding Officer

  • An official UNMC Commanding Officer.
  • Anything with the words Commanding Officer only applies to whitelisted Commanding Officers. These rights cannot be transferred.

Commander

  • The current Commander of an operation.
  • Transferable to a new Commander, per the Chain Of Command.

If the Commander is rendered incapable of command temporarily, the Duty Officer inherits Commander rights, but should the Commander return, they are still the Commander. This includes but is not limited to:

  • Prolonged communications outage.
  • The Commander deploying in the field.

If the Commander is rendered permanently incapable of command, the next in the Chain Of Command becomes the Commander, rather than a Duty Officer. This includes but is not limited to:

  • The Commander is relieved of duty due to arrest or mutiny.
  • The Commander becoming unrevivable.

Duty Officer

  • The ranking officer in the Chain Of Command who, in the temporary absence of the Commander, is placed in command of the warship.
  • Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the Duty Officer is interchangeable with, and inherits the rights of Commander in this case.

Chief MP

  • The Chief of Military Police, assigned to the warship.
  • Only transferable to a Warden by the Commander, if another MP is appointed to be the acting Warden.

MP

  • Military Police, including personnel validly deputized by the Commanding Officer, who deal with Marine Law.

Officer

  • A person who is a Commissioned Officer. These rights cannot be transferred.

Department heads

  • A person who is responsible for an entire department, which includes the Chief Engineer, Chief Medical Officer, Auxiliary Support Officer, Quartermaster, Chief MP.

CIC Personnel

  • Standard personnel whose main duties are within CIC. This includes the Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, and Staff Officers.

Aiding, abetting, conspiring

  • Assisting others in committing a crime, directly or indirectly, encouraging them to commit one (including bribery), conspiring or attempting to commit a crime will be treated as having committed that crime with regards to punishment.

Lawful Orders

  • Personnel are required to follow all lawful orders from their superiors and are NOT-required to follow unlawful orders.
  • If personnel are refusing to follow an order, they must state why they believe it would break Marine Law, making it an unlawful order.
  • Valid NJPs are not unlawful orders in the case of neglected duties.

Riot equipment

  • Flashbangs.
  • Teargas.
  • Riot shotguns with beanbag rounds.
  • Riot shields and armor.
  • Riot grenade launchers.

FOB

  • The Forward Operating Base.
  • Designated by the Commander. It is a reinforced area, usually being the primary landing zone.
  • FOBs do not have to be placed adjacent to a landing zone. However, the primary landing zone itself must at least be properly defended and guarded.

Area of Operations (AO)

  • The area of operations is the broad location where personnel are being deployed to conduct an operation.

Secure Areas

  • Must be designated by the Commander or staff officers. It is a reinforced area, where there has been no recent combat or threats.
  • The FOB is usually a secure area until it is attacked, for example.
  • The Commander or any CIC Personnel at any point may designate an area no longer secure.
  • Areas that have been recently attacked are presumed no longer secure, and should be reported for safety.

Field Hospital

  • Must be designated by the Commander or Chief Medical Officer. It is a reinforced area, where there has been no recent combat or threats.
  • It is the only area aside from the FOB that the Chief Medical Officer or Commander may give permission to doctors and nurses to move to.
  • It must be designated as a Secure Area.

Alert Levels

  • Code Green: All clear.
  • Code Blue: Potentially hostile activity on board.
  • Code Red: There is an immediate threat to the ship or its crew. Examples of usage include; AI Core Security issue, biohazard containment breach, general quarters. Distress beacon, evacuation, and usage of sentry systems authorized.
  • Code Delta: Immediately applies if the warship hull has a major breach by intruders. An order of evacuation, self-destruction, or hold of the warship will be made at this time.

Provost Marshal Office

  • Hold significant weight on how Marine Law is handled in their operational areas.
  • In the event that Marine Law is being mishandled aboard a UNMC warship or within the AO of a UNMC warship, Provost Marshal Office may see fit to dispatch personnel.
  • Members of the Provost Marshal Office obey only their direct superiors and are not beholden to the Marine Chain of Command.
  • Provost Marshals are not required to follow Marine Law.
  • Provost Inspectors and above are the final word on Marine Law in their AO.
  • Provost Advisors do not hold any direct authority themselves, however they are expected to ensure Marine Law is correctly handled.

Crimes

Capital Crimes

These crimes are extreme severity. All of these crimes may be punished by Permanent confinement and demotion, or execution and ID termination.

Charge Description
Jailbreak/Escape To escape, assist in an escape, attempt escape, or be willfully and knowingly broken out from a cell.
Attempted Murder Attempting to murder a person but failing to do so. If the evidence shows that the arrested person was clearly trying to kill someone with ill intent but failed in the action itself.
Murder/Unauthorized Execution This also includes refusing or preventing to revive anyone not executed by the execution procedure.

Killing someone with malicious intent. This includes Synthetic units. The charge applies even if the victim is later revived. Executions are only authorized as outlined in the Execution Procedure.

Sedition To engage in actions or refuse to follow orders as to overthrow or usurp the legitimate command structure.

Creating a massive threat to the ship without the knowledge and approval of the Commander falls under sedition. A Duty Officer Proclaiming allegiance to, or acting on behalf of, the supposed CLF is an act of sedition against the UN.

Desertion Refusing to carry out the duties essential to one’s post or abandoning post unauthorized, without intent to return. (Retreating from the planet when the FOB is breached is not Desertion, refusing to return when ordered is).
Crimes against Sapience To engage in actions that violate sapient life rights or otherwise are heinous acts against sapient life. Examples are torture, cannibalism and forced infection of any kind.

Major Crimes

These crimes are high severity.

Charge Description Punishment
Disorderly Conduct Directly and intentionally disrupting primary operations of the ship. Fighting in the requisitions line, extensively or repeatedly disrupting the briefing. 10 Minutes.
Subterfuge Carrying out objectives or being tied to material that describe planned actions that go against the UNMC. Strong proof is required that the individual is working against UNMC.

A major charge of Unauthorized use of a Listening Device when such a device is also tied to a foreign government or terror organisation is additionally considered Subterfuge.

15 Minutes, removal of ID, and discharge to planet.
Neglect of duty Failure to perform one’s role to an acceptable standard.

For example, a Commander failing to properly organize and ensure their personnel are given orders, failing to follow proper procedure in detriment of one’s duties, or ship crew leaving the ship or their post without authorization from the Commander or their Department Head.

15 Minutes.
Assault To threaten or use physical force against someone with ill intent, but without intent to kill. 15 Minutes.
Assault with a deadly weapon To threaten or use physical force against someone with ill intent and with a lethal weapon such as a sidearm, blade, or rifle but not attempting to murder them. 20 Minutes.
Manslaughter Killing someone without malicious intent. Manslaughter may be applied if someone dies as a result of a fight where the intent was not to kill.

This also includes failing to revive someone without a reasonable attempt, not executed by the execution procedure.

20 Minutes, and/or demotion.
Prevarication To intentionally order the arrest of a person on false charges who is then found to be innocent, or to apply an improper or abusive NJP. This includes intentionally arresting a person on false charges, on ones own initiative without orders. 20 Minutes.
Illegal Confinement Unlawfully detaining a person against their will. Includes, kidnapping, hostage-taking, and confining people in cells without charging them for a crime. It does not apply to Prisoners of War. 20 Minutes.
Cruelty to Animals Injuring or killing any domestic animal or wild life with malicious intent. Research monkeys used for chemical research, scientific purposes or hostile wildlife are exempt. 30 Minutes.
Misuse of Authority The exercising of power to a malicious extent by MP or deputized personnel acting as an MP.

Examples include beating a downed prisoner, excessive use of harmful or non-lethal force, or other abusive actions that led to the harm of a person in custody. Detained suspects should not have more force used on them than necessary in order to pacify them.

20 Minutes.
Unauthorised Deployment To deploy into the area of operations without permission of the relevant head of department or Commander where appropriate whilst still performing assigned duties. (I.E A doctor deploying without permission, with the intentions to perform field surgery.) Deploying without intent to perform assigned duties remains desertion.
  • The relevant Head of Department or the Commander where appropriate may retroactively authorize deployment. The Commander may overrule the Head of Department on this.
  • The relevant Head of Department or the Commander may designate an alternate person to deploy in the stead of an unauthorized person, in which case MPs should coordinate with the designated person to reduce disruption in the field. The maximum delay for this period is five minutes.
10 Minutes.

Minor Crimes

These crimes are low severity, and can be punished with an NJP.

Charge Description Punishment
Failure to Follow Procedure Failing to follow the regulations found in the Standard Operating Procedure. 10 Minutes, equipment confiscation where relevant.
Smoking in Medical Areas Smoking in areas designated for use by medical personnel, such as the entire medbay and surgical rooms. 10 Minutes.
Hooliganism Behavior that is generally disruptive to the ship and crew that classifies as low-level shenanigans not deserving of more severe punishment. Things such as excessive window knocking, force-feeding other marines or failing to conduct oneself properly during the briefing, such as climbing the Briefing overview. This can escalate to Disorderly Conduct. NJP.
Trespassing Unauthorized access of an area which a person does not normally have access to or without command/superior approval. Escort out of the area and optionally 7.5 minutes.
Intoxication To consume alcohol or other substances such as alcohol or hallucinogenic drugs resulting in impaired job performance. 10 minutes, extended until the person is no longer impaired.
Theft To take items (or property) from another person or entity without their express permission, or to retain possession of items that have been taken without permission. This includes the removal of vendors from department areas without permission. 10 minutes, and the item(s) returned to the owner.
Disrespecting a superior Officer Using offensive names or being directly disrespectful to a Commissioned Officer of higher rank or position. 10 Minutes.
False Testimony To intentionally and willingly lie to an MP, or deputized officer, during a criminal investigation with the intent to disrupt said investigation. 5 minutes.

Variable Crimes

These crimes can vary in severity and have scaling punishments.

Charge Description Minor Major
Damage to UNMC Property Damaging the ship or making any unauthorized modifications to it as outlined in Standard Operating Procedure. Materials for repairs should be taken from maintenance storages. Breaking a window, damaging a wall, etc.

Return the ship to it's exact previous state, or serve 7.5 minutes if not possible.

Breaking the law in a major manner includes breaking or dismantling walls or several windows.

10 minutes.

Insubordination Failing to follow a lawful order from a superior person of rank or position, or disrespecting someone of a higher rank or position that is not an officer.

Disrespecting a superior Officer is under minor crimes.

An order which is not personally directed, or disrespecting someone of a higher rank or position that is not an officer.

7.5 minutes.

An order personally directed at a person in question using either their name or clearly communicating its meant for them.

15 minutes.

Interference Interfering in a legal arrest being performed. Interfering without ill intent, such as blocking the way or helping someone up.

7.5 minutes.

Interfering with ill intent or in a clear way to hinder the arrest being performed.

15 minutes.

Unauthorized use of Listening Devices The use of listening devices in violation of Standard Operating Procedures. Illegally placing a listening device in a public area such as the gym.

7.5 minutes.

Illegally placing a listening device in a secure area, or area with privacy shutters, such as CIC or the CL's office.

If the listening device is also tied to a foreign government or terror organisation this is additionally considered Subterfuge

15 minutes.

Optional Crimes

These crimes can be added on to existing charges where relevant.

Charge Description Minor Major
Resisting Arrest To resist a lawful arrest or search by a Military Police officer. Refusing to comply with a lawful search or arrest.

5 minutes.

Resisting a legal arrest by an MP by fleeing or using force.

10 minutes.

Aiding and Abetting Assisting others in committing a crime, directly or indirectly, or encouraging them to commit one. Any person Aiding and Abetting is required to be told the crimes of the person they aided. Same punishment as crime committed.
Disorderly Conduct in Confinement To cause disruption in a significant manner while in Brig and under arrest. This can be added on to any charge. Breaking a Minor Law while under arrest or in Prison.

7.5 minutes.

Breaking a Major Law while under arrest or in Prison.

15 minutes.

Precautionary Crimes

These are used to confine people indefinitely.

Charge Description
Insanity Declared only by the CMO or a synthetic, acting in such a manner which makes the offender not sound clear of mind. The subject, once cleared to be of sound mind, may be released from this particular charge.

In the absence of a CMO or Synthetic, the Commander or Chief MP can appoint an officer of the medical department to perform an evaluation in their stead. An exception to this is in cases of verified suicide or attempted suicide, and the subject may appeal, or appeal to any medical personnel.

Prisoner of War Being a hostile member of a legitimate and recognised faction.

Prisoners of war cannot be executed, unless they are an active threat to others.

Discretionary Detainment A discretionary charge used by Commanding Officer to detain personnel for any reason - for the safety and benefit of the operation or security.

This is only appealable to the Commanding Officer, or the Provost Marshal Office, and may be lifted at any time by the Commanding Officer.

Arresting Procedures

Should the warship get boarded by a hostile force, no arrests should be made unless the person presents a danger to the warship and/or its personnel.

Officer Ordered Arrests

Should an Officer ranked UNMC personnel order an arrest for a crime, MPs MUST arrest that person.

  • Only the Commander (not a Duty Officer) and Chief MP can Officer order an arrest on an MP.
  • They may arrest and hold that person for ten minutes after they have reached the brig while they gather evidence.
  • Should the suspect be declared innocent of all accused crimes, the requesting officer may incur a Prevarication charge. The time for any crimes the suspect committed as a result of the arrest must still be served, however.
  • Before the suspect is detained, the Officer may rescind the order.
  • In the case of officer ordered arrests the Chief MP or Commander may choose to assign an NJP over the initial charge (where valid).

Arresting a Suspect

These arrests can be performed anywhere on the warship.

  • Take down the Suspect if they resist and securely restrain them.
  • Move the Suspect to a brig cell.
  • Continue to charging procedure.

Arresting MP

  • The Chief MP can only be arrested if approved by the Commander or Provost Marshal Office.
  • Any MPs can only be arrested if approved by the Commander or the Chief MP. The Commander has the final say.
  • A Duty Officer is unable to authorise the arrest of an MP or the Chief MP.
  • Ensure additional charging of Military Police procedure is followed.

Actions Against the Commander

  • MP must contact Provost Marshal Office before taking any law-related actions against the Commanding Officer.
  • If there is no Commanding Officer, the Commander of the operation may be arrested, but Provost Marshal Office must be notified after the fact, through fax.

Field Arrests

These refer to arrests performed in the area of operations.

  • Field arrests are restricted to the FOB, dropships, and secure areas unless in pursuit.
  • If a suspect flees outside the above areas or are witnessed by the MP, they may be pursued.
  • If there are hostiles in the vicinity, the MP must abort the arrest and move to a secure area.
  • MPs may move between secure areas.
  • Squad Leaders may detain marines of their squad that violate the law, but must detain marines of their squad by orders of the Chief MP, Commander, or any commissioned officer. This may also apply to personnel that are deploying unauthorised.
  • Marines and personnel detained by the Squad Leaders should be passed onto the MP in a secure area when possible.

Victims May Drop Charges

  • Excluding capital crimes, neglect of duty, and grievous bodily harm, the victim of a crime retains the right to drop charges.
  • This is permitted after the defendant is moved to a secure location or the brig.
  • MP must release the defendant on the victim's request, with continued arrest attempts for the original crime being considered prevarication.
  • MP may hold the defendant for no longer than 5 minutes if they wish to contact Provost Marshal Office to appeal the arrest against the victim's wishes.
  • If an appeal to arrest from Provost Marshal Office is not received within the 5 minutes, the defendant must be released.

Self Defense or Defense of Others

Charges are not to be applied to those who use force on others when defending themselves from illegal harm, so long as they defend themselves with proportional force. This also extends to the defense of others if they believe the others are in lethal danger. This does not apply to lawful killings such as executions.

The person being attacked should only use proportional lethal force until the person is no longer able to attack, and look to get away from the attacker where possible to alert the MP. The person being attacked should notify the MP or their supervisor about the use of self-defense.

Examples of proportional force are;

  • Punching when being punched.
  • Melee weapons when being attacked with melee weapons.
  • Bullets against bullets.

Charging and sentencing

This procedure is subject to change, with new brig timer technology in the future. Ensure prisoner rights are followed.

General Charging Procedure

Upon arrest, the arresting MP must transfer the suspect to the brig, where they will have the suspect charged with the crimes committed, by another member of the MP.

  • Brig timers must not exceed 30 minutes unless in the case of a Capital Crime, or if extended by crimes performed while jailed.
  • Charging is to be done, in order of availability, by the Military Warden, the Chief MP, an uninvolved MP, the arresting MP.
  • If any of these are present they may explicitly defer to the next in-line if their attention is required elsewhere. This right should be used reasonably.
  • The person issuing the charges should also determine a sentence.
  • Inform the Suspect of their Charges before the brig timer starts.
  • Inform the Suspect they may file an appeal should they wish so.
  • Ensure to follow prisoner rights and the right to appeal.

Additional charging of Military Police

  • Always ensure you are permitted to arrest them, first.
  • They are to be charged with neglect of duty as an additional crime. This does not upgrade minor crimes to major.
  • In the event of any major or worse crimes, if they do not attempt to appeal, or their appeal or pardon is denied, they are to be demoted, following the [color=#ff000d][bold]MP[/bold][/color] demotion procedure.

Brigging checklist

  • Apply the charges and activate the brig timer.
  • Remove all their belongings, including ID card and headset.
  • Put them in the orange uniform, if available, else their original uniform.
  • Give them a standard headset of common channel, if available.
  • Place them inside the cell, buckled to the bed, then flash or stun them and recover your handcuffs.
  • Search their belongings for contraband and theft.
  • When the time is over, let them grab their belongings, escort them out of the brig.
  • If the prisoner is SSD at the end of their sentence, return their belongings and place them in brig cryo.
  • If a prisoner has been SSD for over 5 minutes you may place them in cryo, but they must serve the rest of their time if they return.

Medical Experiments

A prisoner may waive their rights to participate in medical experiments. Researchers performing approved medical experiments may not be held liable for damages inflicted on the subject within the approved parameters of the experiment.

  • All experiments require the signed (or stamped) approval of either the Commander (But not Duty Officer) or the CMO.
  • Prisoners can request to be used as subjects. The prisoner's brig time must continue to run while they are being used, and are free to go when it expires and are not obligated to continue.
  • Medical experiments that will result in death must only be offered to prisoners who are to be executed, or if execution is one of the listed punishment options for their crime. It is otherwise illegal, and will result in a Attempted Murder, or Murder charge where relevant.

Non-Judicial Punishments (NJPs)

These may be issued and observed by the MP or SEA instead of an arrest and/or brig sentence where valid.

General usage

  • NJPs should not risk the person's health.
  • If the NJP offer is refused, they are to serve the original sentence, or a 10 minute brig timer if none exists.
  • Accepting the NJP waives the right to appeal. The suspect or prisoner should be informed of this.
  • Failure to comply to an accepted NJP will result in an additional charge of resisting arrest with the original charges.
  • Failure to complete an NJP is not considered failure to comply if a legitimate attempt is observed.
  • NJPs are a one-time offer. The same NJP for the charges cannot be accepted once denied.
  • The decision to offer or not offer a NJP may be overruled by a higher ranking MP.
  • In the case of officer ordered arrests the Chief MP or Commander may choose to assign an NJP over the initial charge (where valid).

Brig usage

  • A NJP may be offered to a prisoner in a cell at any point, unless they were offered and denied one already, or their sentence total is above 10 minutes or a major crime.
  • NJPs cannot take longer than their remaining brig time.

Examples

  • Ordering a marine to clean the preparation areas of squads.
  • Ordering a marine to do laps around the warship.

Lethal Force

  • Lethal force should always remain a last resort.
  • During emergencies like mutinies, boardings, or when suspects have used lethal or disabling weapons against personnel, the Chief MP or Commander may authorize lethal force.
  • MP may use lethal force should suspects be an active threat to the crew, ships, or the MP. The suspect should only be fired upon until they can no longer present any harm.
  • A suspect that has been detained and restrained must be kept safe from harm, as they are in MP custody.
  • If the Chief MP and Commander are not responding to comms within a reasonable amount of time, or are incapacitated, MP may use lethal force freely within reason, while on code red or higher.
  • MP may use lethal force against targets that are not affected by non-lethals attempts, such as synthetics.


Searches

  • Searches must be approved by the Chief MP or Commander.
  • If waiting would cause further harm to the ship or personnel, you may gain approval after performing the search.
  • Searches can be performed by the Commander or any MP, as long as the following procedure is followed.
  • If procedure is not followed, the offender can be charged with Neglect of Duty.
  • Searches cannot incur a Prevarication charge should no illegal items be found.

Personnel

  1. Inform the person you are going to conduct a search and the reason for the search.
  2. Use non-lethal force to restrain them if they do not comply.
  3. Where possible, conduct the search in the brig or any isolated area so nothing is stolen.
  4. Begin the search, confiscate any illegal items, and secure them.
  5. If the items warrant a sentence, follow arrest and brig procedures, otherwise release the personnel.
  6. Items that are no longer needed for evidence can be returned to requisitions.

Areas

  1. State your intent to search the area, then vacate it of any personnel unrelated to the search.
  2. If someone responsible for the area is available at the area, inform them of the reason.
  3. If nobody with access to the area is present, request trained personnel to temporarily override the doors.
  4. If you cannot gain access to the area, and no personnel can override the doors, forceful entry may be performed. (Personnel with access in the area will be liable for the reasonable damage to the ship.)
  5. Search and secure any evidence.
  6. Restore the searched area to its previous state as closely as possible.
  7. Reopen the area to normal traffic, then move all evidence to brig for processing.
  8. Items that are no longer needed for evidence can be returned to requisitions.

Demotions

General Procedure

  • A person who has been demoted is moved to a lower position in their department, or if no such position exists, a rifleman.
  • Demotions are limited to crimes where demotion is explicitly listed as an option, with the Commanding Officer being able to do so freely if it fits the conditions of their provisions.
  • Permission must first be given by the head of the department responsible for the arrested person, unless the person performing the demotion is the Commanding Officer.
  • If the arrested person is a department head, the Commander must give the permission.
  • The Commander may turn any demotion to a termination instead, making the person a civilian. A Duty Officer does not have this permission.

Riflemen Procedure

  • Riflemen who are demoted are to be discharged and treated as civilian passengers.
  • Their access to equipment should be restricted as such.

MP Procedure

  • If they are of enlisted rank, they are to serve in squad roles, other assignments by permission of the Heads of departments, or direct assignment by the Commanding Officer.
  • If they are of Officer rank, they are to serve in CIC unless dismissed by the Commander to find duties elsewhere.

Executions

Authorization

  • Executions are limited to prisoners who have committed crimes with execution as a possible punishment.
  • They must be authorized by the Commanding Officer.
  • In the event the Commanding Officer is absent, BOTH the Chief MP and Commander must give the authorization.
  • A Duty Officer is unable to authorize an execution.
  • Executions may be delayed if the alert level is RED or DELTA.
  • A prisoner that is permanently confined may request to be executed in place of their confinement, but must still be authorized.

Authorized methods of execution

Authorized methods of execution must be used in executions and are listed below.

  • Lethal injection handled by the current Chief Medical Officer.
  • Firing squad by the MP or Commanding Officer. This must be done with standard issue firearms, and not with explosives or weapons considered cruel. The Chief MP or Commander may permit only the victims of the prisoner's crimes to join the firing line.

Procedure

  • The Chief MP or Commander MUST make a ship-wide announcement informing the crew of the intent to execute, the reason/crime, and the execution method.

None of the below steps should each exceed 5 minutes to fully process, otherwise they may be skipped if the prisoner was warned prior to the time expiring.

  1. The prisoner may request a tobacco product, and a food and drink as a last meal. The items should be reasonably acquirable, else they should be provided an alternative.
  2. The prisoner may request a blindfold for the execution if available.
  3. Up to three people may be requested by the prisoner to view the execution.
  4. The prisoner is given a chance to give final words. The prisoner may use the radio for this.
  5. The execution may proceed.

Prisoner Rights

This is a list of rights prisoners have.

  • They cannot be denied, with the exception of radio access, except in extreme situations with authorization from the Chief MP or Commander. Prisoners can fax provost to have their rights be given back.

Common Space

All prisoners are permitted to enter the common space by default.

  • Permabrigged prisoners do not have this right, but can be given access with an escort for good behavior.

This right can be lost in the event of:

  • Mutiny, riots, emergencies
  • Jailbreaking
  • Committing a crime within the brig. If this happens, the right can be given back by the Chief MP or Commander.

Protection and Medical Treatment

  • If there are prisoners, a member of the MP must remain in the brig at all times except if the only prisoners are in permanent confinement or there is an emergency.
  • Prisoners must be kept safe and unharmed.
  • A surgical tray is to remain within the brig at all times, unless there is an emergency.
  • Treatment should take place within the brig when possible. If not, an MP must escort the prisoner to the medbay and watch over them while they are treated.
  • Prisoners must receive medical aid if needed.
  • Prisoners must be revived unless they have been legally executed.
  • Self-harm may result in being constrained for the duration of the sentence.

Access to a Radio

Prisoners are authorized a standard headset with the common channel.

  • If any MP believes that it is being abused, they can revoke this right after a clear warning of the behavior.
  • Prisoners may appeal this.
  • Prisoners may have their radio revoked if a mutiny is active until the mutiny is over.

Prisoner Right to Appeal

  • Accepting an NJP waives the right to appeal.
  • Appeals are used to correct errors, but may not be used to add new charges or punishments if a brig timer was already set.
  • Appeals must be handled before executions, demotions, and NJPs. Appealing prisoners should have their brig timers set and running while the appeal is being processed.
  • Personnel may be placed in holding awaiting their appeal if it had no brig sentence.
  • Whomever is handling the appeal has the final say in the outcome of the appeal.

Appeal a Sentence in a timely manner

If an appeal process has not started within 10 minutes, or 30 minutes for permanently brigged, after a request to appeal has been clearly communicated to any MP, Chief MP, or Commander;

  • The prisoner must be released.
  • The person whom received the request, if failing to take appropriate action, are to be given a Neglect of Duty charge.

Who can handle an appeal

  • Anyone under the jurisdiction of marine law has the right to appeal their punishment to their choice of either the Chief MP or the Commander, who may also choose to designate someone else to handle the appeal in their place. If either person picked is involved in the crimes, they should designate an uninvolved MP or commissioned officer.

Ideally, these people should not be handling the appeal:

  • Witnesses/victims.
  • Anyone who ordered the arrest.
  • The person who set the charges or punishment.

Appeal outcomes

A charge cannot be removed by appeal if the prisoner is found guilty, however, the person who handles the appeal can process the appeal as:

  • A valid charge, no modification.
  • Modify the charge to a lower charge.
  • Reduce the punishment of a charge up to the minimum punishment.
  • Remove a charge the prisoner is found innocent for.

Suspending Appeals

Appeals may be postponed in these situations:

  • Threats requiring evacuation.
  • A hostile force approaching or onboard the ship.
  • Riots or jailbreaks.
  • The prisoner requiring medical treatment and is not conscious.
  • There being an already processing appeal.
  • The prisoner having escaped or is unreachable in person.

Appeals may not be suspended for these examples:

  • The Commander and Chief MP being busy with other tasks.
  • The prisoner being declared insane.

Appeals Procedure

  • The appeal processor must be present and in person.
  • The charges should be listed along with their punishment one by one. This may be done by any MP or the appeal processor.
  • A discussion including witness accounts, the story of the accused, evidence, and mitigating circumstances is recommended.
  • If charges were applied incorrectly they must be removed. No new charges may be added as a result if a brig time has been set.
  • An appeal outcome should be given for each listed charge individually.
  • The final punishment should be for the remaining crimes.
  • The appeal processor decides the outcome. They may not be ordered or forced otherwise.
  • The appeal processor cannot be retaliated against by anyone for any part of the appeal, unless it is a neglect of duty charge due to the appeal procedure not being followed correctly.

Appeals to the Provost Marshal Office

  • The prisoner may request another appeal to the Provost Marshal Office.
  • This may be done if their appeal is denied, or done instead of a standard appeal.
  • If the Provost Marshal Office does not reply to the appeal in 10 minutes, the appeal is considered denied.
  • The prisoner must be provided a pen and paper to write a fax to the Provost Marshal Office.
  • If the prisoner is a threat to themself or others if unrestrained, they have the right to dictate the fax and have it written by any MP.

Special Provisions

MP Involvement in Mutinies

  • Attempting to overthrow the legitimate command staff is illegal, and MP must do everything in their power to prevent it.
  • Should a mutiny be successful, resulting in the Commander being deposed or surrendering, MP should hold the former Commander in indefinite confinement if their freedom would reignite the conflict.
  • The Duty Officer may be optionally skipped in the Chain Of Command, if the mutiny is successful.
  • MP will after resume normal operations with the new commander, and any subterfuge charges, sedition charges, insubordination charges, and ordered arrests in relation to the original commander must be dropped.

Emergencies

  • In emergencies, such as significant boardings or a compromised brig, imprisoned personnel may be released by the Chief MP, if they believe they will not be a further threat or hindrance during the emergency, also particularly if they display good behavior.
  • If the imprisoned are too dangerous or detrimental to the survival of the crew, they should be escorted to an escape pod by a commissioned officer or an MP who will maintain their safety.
  • A simple red alert is not sufficient reason for release, unless the ship is significantly overrun.

Synthetics

Synthetics must be given a chance to stand down, however must be repaired to serve its sentence if lethal force is used.

UNMC Synthetics

  • UNMC Synthetics are programmed against being able to break marine law, and should not be arrested unless Provost Marshal Office have approved their arrest.
  • These synthetic units are also granted the same rights and privileges of regular marines.
  • If any MP believes they have broken marine law, a report should be faxed to the Provost Marshal Office.
  • If an officer orders the arrest of a Synthetic, the order must be ignored and the officer should be informed they must submit a report to allow the arrest.
  • Synthetics not directly part of UNMC do not have the above immunities.

Survivor Synthetics

  • We-Ya Synthetics (From colonies or otherwise) are granted similar rights and privileges as UNMC Synthetics.
  • They may have their arrest ordered by the Commander or Chief MP without the need to provide a report to the Provost Marshal Office.
  • Any of these survivor synthetics that act against the UNMC such as taking valuable supplies without request, or destroying property and defenses can be declared rogue by the Commander (but not a Duty Officer).
  • When declared rogue, the synthetic loses any protections and lethal force may be used freely.

CO Provisions and Regulations

Arrest Immunity

The Commanding Officer is not above marine law. However, they may not be arrested without the permission of Provost Marshal Office.

  • Should a Commanding Officer break marine law, Provost Marshal Office must be contacted through fax to arrest the Commanding Officer.
  • The right to contact Provost Marshal Office may not be denied.
  • If the Commanding Officer has been deposed due to mutiny, the MP are to treat them the same as a deposed Commander per special provisions, lose their arrest immunity, and are no longer considered the Commander.

Execution Privileges

The Commanding Officer, High Command, and Provost Marshal Office Marshals may perform Battlefield Executions. They may personally execute any person who marine law applies to, as long as they are under their authority, without warning or procedure, unless the person is already in MP custody.

To perform a Battlefield Execution, one of the following conditions must be fulfilled;

  • They are a threat to your command. Credibly attempting to undermine or remove your command by illegal means. Insults, disagreements, or being reported to the Provost Marshal Office are not valid reasons. Countermanding or refusing to follow orders are.
  • They are threat to others. Credibly threatening and attempting to do harm to the Commanding Officer, or someone while in the Commanding Officer's presence.
  • They are a threat to the ship or the operation. Credibly threatening or attempting to do damage to the ship, the UNMC, or operation while in the Commanding Officer's presence.

Escort Missions

The Commanding Officer has two escort provisions they may order, not to be confused with MP FOB protection within the SOP. There must be a minimum of a single MP aboard the ship at all times, per the SOP.

  • The Commanding Officer may request up to two MPs to guard the Commanding Officer while in the AO. They are permitted to fight in the frontline with the Commanding Officer.
  • The Commanding Officer may request any amount of MPs to escort non-combat personnel planetside, provided they avoid the frontline at all costs. This includes a Commanding Officer who will not be going to fight at the frontline.

Should the escorted individual be incapacitated, the escorting MPs must try to recover the individual. If this is no longer possible, they must return shipside.

During an escort mission, the following rules must be followed by all parties;

  • The escorting MPs must focus keeping the escorted individual secure at all times and not enforce marine law.
  • The escorting MPs must remain in line of sight to the escorted individual at all times to the best of their ability. The escorted individual may not order the MP to do something that would put them outside line of sight.

Pardons

The Commanding Officer may pardon criminals by name and crime they are being pardoned for if they believe it is in the best interests of the operation.

  • Only minor and major crimes may be pardoned.
  • Capital crimes may not be pardoned except with the permission of Provost Marshal Office.
  • The Chief MP, or if absent, an MP may appeal these pardons to Provost Marshal Office, and if they believe the pardon was wrongfully done.
  • The Commanding Officer may be held responsible for further criminal actions committed by those they pardon.
  • If Provost Marshal Office reverses the decision of the pardon, the Commanding Officer must ensure the prisoner returns to serve their time without failure. Failure to do so may result in removal from command and charges at the discretion of Provost Marshal Office.
  • The Commanding Officer must know the crimes committed, and announce the name of the prisoner, and the reason why they are being pardoned.
  • The Commanding Officer does not need to be present for the release of the prisoner.

Revoking Arrests

The Commanding Officer may also invoke pardoning authority to revoke arrests, or warrants of arrests, for a person before they are placed in the brig.

  • This revocation follows the same procedure as pardons.
  • They must be announced the same way.
  • They are subject to the same appeals to Provost Marshal Office.
  • The Commanding Officer is responsible for the actions of the person being pardoned.
  • If the person whose arrest was revoked reoffends, removal from command and charges may apply to the Commanding Officer by the MP with permission from Provost Marshal Office.

These conditions must be true for the revocation to be valid;

  • The Commanding Officer is in the general vicinity as the person being arrested.
  • The revocation is not being used on a person who are in the process of committing a crime, are resisting or have resisted arrest, or are already in the brig. (In which case a regular pardon can be used.)
  • The revocation is not being used to prevent an arrest authorized by Provost Marshal Office.

Demotions

The Commanding Officer may demote or discharge UNMC personnel under their authority if the person has committed any major crime, and not only major crimes with demotion listed as a punishment. The demotion should fit the severity, and also remain within the department they were originally working. An engineer should not be demoted into a medical position.

General NJPs

The Commanding Officer may issue NJPs at any point they find a person's behavior inappropriate or contrary to good order, and conduct deserving of punishment even if a crime has not been committed, such as acting in an unprofessional manner, failing to complete a job in satisfactory conditions, or failing to uphold standards of good order.

  • All NJP conditions and rights apply when this provision is invoked, including a 10 minute brig sentence if refused.

Deputizing

The Commanding Officer may deputize the following personnel to make arrests and enforce marine law, should MPs be unavailable or unable to respond in a timely manner. When deputized, these personnel are expected and required to follow Marine Law like an MP, and will carry the same punishments.

  • The Executive Officer.
  • The Auxiliary Support Officer.
  • Staff Officers.
  • UNMC Synthetics.

Commanding Officer Regulations

These regulations are not modifiable without approval from Provost Marshal Office.

Uniforms

  • Commanding Officers must remain in UNMC uniform at all times.
  • Anything in their personal dress vendors, as well as standard UNMC enlisted and officer uniforms are acceptable.
  • They should avoid wearing department uniforms.
  • Dress clothing, swimwear, sleepwear, civilian clothing, and athletic wear should be reserved for their appropriate recreational, training activities or situations.
  • They should never be found bare or in underwear in public appearances.
  • Wearing the uniform of any other military or organization is strictly prohibited.

Conduct

  • Commanding Officers are role models for those under their command.
  • They must exhibit dress, behavior, and mentality fitting of their rank and decades of service.
  • They must demonstrate level-headedness, maturity, and competence.
  • While not expected to be humorless and strict, they should maintain reasonable dignity.