Gorean Magistrate & Advocate Study Guide
Subject: Gorean Legal Principles and Practices
Topics:
The Distinct Roles of Magistrate vs. Advocate
Gorean Legal Concepts and Penalties
The Application of Law in Gorean Roleplay
Summary: This guide is designed to help you understand the fundamental distinctions between a Gorean Magistrate (a judge) and an Advocate (a lawyer), and how their roles function within a Gorean legal system. It covers key legal concepts, common penalties, and the practical challenges of applying Gorean law in a roleplay setting. The guide focuses on areas of difficulty, reinforcing the core responsibilities and principles of each position.
Key Concepts
Magistrate (The Judge): A Magistrate's primary duty is to the city's laws and integrity. They are the impartial arbiters who preside over legal proceedings, rule on evidence, interpret laws, and pronounce judgments and sentences. They hold the authority to issue summons, refer cases to other jurisdictions, and maintain order in their court.
Advocate (The Lawyer): An Advocate's primary duty is to their client. They are a paid legal representative who builds a case, conducts research, drafts documents, and uses legal rhetoric and negotiation to defend or prosecute a case on their client's behalf.
OOC vs. IC: In Gorean roleplay, Gorean laws are In-Character (IC) matters, while player conduct and sim rules are Out-of-Character (OOC). A Magistrate who is also a moderator must understand and enforce both, but OOC information (like IMs or profile details) is considered inadmissible in a Gorean court.
Legal Penalties: Gorean law prescribes specific and often severe punishments. A first-offense thief receives ear notching, while more severe crimes like striking a free person or the rape of a free woman carry penalties of torture and death by impalement. Enslavement is also a common punishment for various crimes and debts.
Legal Hierarchy: The Ubar or High Council holds the ultimate legislative power and can overrule a Magistrate's judgment. The prosecution of a criminal case is handled by a City Litigator, a specialized type of Advocate, not the Ubar or Administrator directly.
Vocabulary List
Magistrate: A judge who adjudicates cases and pronounces judgments.
Advocate: A lawyer who represents a client in a legal dispute.
Litigator: A legal professional who prosecutes or defends a criminal case on behalf of a city.
Jurisdiction: The legal authority a court has to hear a specific type of case.
Precedent: A prior court ruling that serves as a guide for future legal decisions.
Plaintiff: The individual or group that brings a complaint or legal action against another.
Home Stone: A sacred symbol of a Gorean's citizenship and legal protection. Its theft is the most heinous crime on Gor.
OOC (Out-of-Character): Pertaining to the player and the rules of the game (e.g., sim rules, IMs).
IC (In-Character): Pertaining to the character and the world of Gor (e.g., Gorean laws, sworn testimony).
Key Questions
Which of these is a duty of an Advocate? a) Ruling on the admissibility of evidence. b) Advising a client on the best legal strategy. c) Pronouncing a verdict of guilt or innocence. d) Maintaining order and decorum in the courtroom.
Which of the following would be an appropriate punishment for a first-time thief who has no prior convictions? a) A fine of 500 gold tarns. b) Enslavement to the city for one year. c) Ear notching, so that they can be identified as a thief. d) Death by impalement.
A Gorean Magistrate who is also a moderator would have to use both OOC rules and IC laws to deal with which of these situations? a) A man's private dispute with his companion over a contract. b) A female slave who refuses to speak to a free person. c) A thief who is caught with a stolen lute. d) An assassin who is caught trying to enter a city.
What kind of clothing can a Magistrate not wear in a courtroom? a) A plain brown garment. b) A silk robe. c) A leather tunic and pants. d) A white robe.
Which of the following is not a duty of a Magistrate? a) To administer the oath to a citizen. b) To advise a citizen on a legal matter. c) To oversee a duel between two warriors. d) To enforce a legal sentence.
In a Gorean trial, who would typically speak on behalf of the city to prosecute a criminal case? a) A City Litigator. b) A Magistrate. c) A City Scribe. d) The Ubar or Administrator.
What is the primary difference between a Magistrate and a Litigator? a) A Magistrate is a judge, while a Litigator is a lawyer. b) A Magistrate's job is to enforce laws, while a Litigator's job is to break them. c) A Magistrate's primary duty is to the law, while a Litigator's is to their client. d) A Magistrate is a man, while a Litigator is a woman.
Which of these is the most important for a Magistrate when sentencing a criminal? a) The criminal's social standing. b) The criminal's caste. c) The sentence's book-based authenticity and practicality in an SL context. d) The criminal's reputation.
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Note: You can use these questions to test your knowledge or to engage in further discussions about Gorean legal principles. The answers are provided in the previous response for your reference.
- Kati Evans
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