Lawyer: Difference between revisions

|quote=Having slot machines in brig might not be against space law, but it's probably not entirely legal.

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The Lawyer is tasked with the thankless job of providing legal aid to the crew. This tends to involve defending [[Traitor|traitors]] in trials, suing [[Security Officer|security]], the [[Backstory#Nanotrasen|company]], [[xenos|aliens]] or anyone else they can think of for endangering the crew. Other duties include hassling the [[Station Engineer|engineers]] and [[scientist]]s over health and safety violations, and general ambulance-chasing.

'''Bare minimum requirements:''' Talk to prisoners and try to get security to consider their rights when applicable.

==Duties==

You have a number of duties as the lawyer.

*'''Consult on the law:''' Be present when people are imprisoned, so you can give the correct time. Be sure to explain the sentence for each crime and the total time. In some cases you may argue for reduced sentence times based on mitigating factors (e.g. clowning, insanity), but don't push the issue or you risk making it worse.

*'''Ascertain guilt or innocence:''' When a suspect is brought in, check the stories of officers. You may be able to convince them when they either have the wrong person or if they committed a lesser crime than thought. Consult with the [[Detective]] about physical evidence brought against your client.

*'''Create law-binding contracts:''' As a Lawyer the easiest and most efficient way to get something done is to create contracts, despite popular belief. If you display these contracts to the Lawyer Gods, then you ''might'' get something nice from them.

*'''Litigation:''' Health, safety, and human rights violations abound on the station, but be warned that actually getting anything done about it will test your law skills.

==[https://forums.yogstation.net/index.php?threads/william-severights-law-school.1378/ Law School]==

Always caution clients against saying anything about their alleged crimes to security. Don't ever openly talk to your client about charges, or they may incriminate themselves in front of security members. Ask to speak with clients privately in your office or the interrogation room. If security refuses, step right up to the cell door and whisper to your client, and ask any intrusive officers to please take a few steps back.

As a defence lawyer, you are at an inherent disadvantage, you are in a position where you have to try to influence people who have more power than you and don't necessarily have to listen to you. They have uniforms, weapons and armour, you have a various administrative tools. They are part of a band of brothers, you are a lone wolf. You have to know when to be polite, respectful and helpful, and when to be forceful or even aggressive, all without being obnoxious.

*'''Tough but Fair:''' These are good cops who will not let you intimidate them and who will not back down when they are right, but will listen when you point out flaws in their charges or evidence. The best way to deal with them is to be respectful and give them due compliments when they concede a point and lower sentences or let suspects free. Do not antagonize them for no reason, or they become may less inclined to listen to you. Be grateful to have the opportunity to work with someone sane and competent.

*'''The Thug:''' These guys think that the concept of "rights" for suspects is a joke, and resent your presence in the brig. They will, at best, try to ignore you completely, if they do not actively insult and threaten you. It is almost impossible to convince them of anything in character. Try to get someone who outranks them to set them straight, or put in a word to the gods to force them to correct themselves when they are unambiguously wrong. This type may end up revoking your access, arresting you, assaulting you, or killing you for doing your job (I told you the role was thankless). If things are completely hopeless and there is no way you can possibly get them to act like a human being, try throwing a donut at them and singing "this little piggy went to market," if your access was going to get revoked anyways.

===Common Overcharges===

There are a number of circumstances where more than one charge could be argued to apply to a crime. Security will usually err on the side of charging with the more serious offence. Your job is to argue for the less serious charge, or get them off completely. As a negotiating tactic, it may be helpful to initially suggest an excessively low charge, than "settle" on a harsher, but still reduced charge.

*'''Grand Sabotage vs. Creating a Workplace Hazard:''' Unless intent can be proven, argue that your client is not malicious, just completely incompetent.

*'''Grand Theft vs. Theft and Major Trespass vs. Trespass:''' Make sure that security doesn't take a liberal interpretation of the serious charges.

*'''Repeat Offender:''' Security will try to use this permabrig the clown for slipping people with a banana peel twice or whatever. Try not to let them.

===Excuses, Excuses===

So, your client is in the interrogation room and a detective or cop is demanding answers. Think quickly of plausible reasons why the evidence could be false.

*'''"He Had Traitor Gear on Him!"''' He found that and was coming to security to report it! Are there other prints on it? Are you the officer that conducted the search and, if not, where is the officer who supposedly found it? That's just a normal pen! That's just a normal gasmask! Those are just normal shoes! That's just a balloon!

*'''"We Have Forensic Evidence!"''' He bumped into that door earlier! He used that tool to repair something and then dropped it, someone else must have used it in a murder! He hugged the victim earlier!

===Objections!===

Nanotrasen trials tend to be hastily thrown together and messy. They are also put together by security/the prosecution, which places the defence at a huge disadvantage. There are many common practices they will try that you should fight until you are out of breath:

*'''Prove a Negative!''' Object if you are asked to present a defence before the prosecution presents a case or charges are stated. It is impossible to defend yourself when you don't even know what you are defending against. The prosecution should always speak before the defence. If you are asked to "prove" your client's innocence, point out that it is impossible to do so and that the onus is on the prosecution to demonstrate guilt.

*'''Double Jeopardy!''' If an absurdly guilty client is found “not-guilty,” it is not uncommon for security or prosecution members to be convinced that the trial was a “mistake” and attempt to detain your client for a new trial. The verdict is valid, defend it and get the Lawyer Gods involved if you have to.

==Devilish Dealings==

==Justice for All==

[[File:Lawoffice.png|thumb|alt=Law Office|The [[Law Office]], where you can be safely ignored]]

As a lawyer it is advised you not attack Security personnel at all, even when they deserve it (fleeing is acceptable). If you're having trouble, seek the HoS's, HoP's, or Captain's help, as appropriate.

==Justice for None==

'' I would like to announce that I believe my client to be a DISGUSTING TRAITOR, and I resent the fact that I've been given the task of defending him. You should probably just toss him out of the airlock or something, I rest my case sir.''

It is perfectly acceptable, and common practice, to ask to speak with your client alone in the interview room. It is also quite common that you, your client and the warden will be the only people in the brig. Now, if you happen to be...particularly sympathetic to enemies of Nanotrasen, this affords you an exceptional opportunity to assist an ally, ambush and neutralize the warden, and obtain an ID that gives you and your friend access to the armoury.

Have an assassination objective? Frame your target, offer them your services as a lawyer, and act completely incompetent, "accidentally" incriminating your client and proving the prosecution's points. If you do an exceptional job, your target may end up with the death penalty, but even if that doesn't work, getting them brigged gives you an opportunity to take them out.

=Tips=

*Items that may prove useful to you, but aren't available straight away are:

**[[File:Medikit.png]]Medical kits: Prisoners are often detained, battered and not provided access to healthcare. Try to get your hands on a medkit to help them out.

**[[File:Spacelaw.png]]Books: It doesn't hurt to entertain prisoners if they and you have nothing else to do and you are not busy.

{{Jobs}}

[[category: jobs]]