Lawsuits 101

Your ultimate guide to New Signet lawsuits.

Are you thinking of suing someone, being sued, or just curious?  Either way, this page gives a brief overview of the world of New Signet lawsuits.

Any player can file a lawsuit, and all players must comply when this happens.  How is this possible?  Well, once any player joins New Signet, it is required that they read the rules (here).  Very clearly, the following is stated: 

By joining New Signet, you agree to attend any court sessions you are ordered to. 

That being said, it is against the rules to not attend a court session.  Being ordered to take part in Court does not necessarily mean that you are being prosecuted; this could mean to act as Juror, Transcript, Attorney or Judge.

But, when being an active part of a lawsuit (prosecuted or prosecutor), it is very important to know how things are in court.  Several key terms to learn now:

Judge: The facilitator; the Judge does not often decide final verdicts.

Jury: A group of anonymous voters.

Plaintiff: The prosecutor; usually files the lawsuit (the Plaintiff's attorney will formally file it with a document called the "Summons".

Defendant: Usually also known as the "accused". 

Attorney: A lawyer defending a client. In every court case, there can be both a Plaintiff's attorney and a Defendant's attorney; both have the right to one, but can decide to operate without.

Prejury: Lying in court. This is a huge offense, and if caught, holds massive penalties.

Verdict: The result and conclusion; usually deems the defendant guilty or not guilty.

Trial-By-Jury: The Jury is present during the session (or is presented the transcript), and the Jury decides the verdict.

Trial-By-Judge: The Judge decides the verdict, and no Jury are present.

Summons: A document prepared by the Plaintiff's attorney; this document officially files a lawsuit.

A lawsuit is filed, and the following happens, in order:

1. The Plaintiff notifies a moderator, who notifies limeh_ana. The Plaintiff will be given the choice to either choose an attorney from an existing pool of lawyers, have an attorney randomly chosen (from the same pool), or proceed to the trial without an attorney (highly, highly discouraged).
2. The Plaintiff's attorney (or, if functioning without an attorney, the Plaintiff himself) will then prepare the Summons, which will outline offenses, compensations, and a set Court date and time.  The attorney will run the document past the Judge, who will then pass the document on to the accused (the Defendant). The document specifically states that if the Accused does not show up, a punishment may be decided without a session.
3. After the Defendant receives the document, the Judge then asks if he would like an attorney. If so, he is allowed to either choose one or have one selected randomly from the pool of existing attorneys.
4. Both the Plaintiff, the Defendant and their attorneys prepare for Court; this includes preparing questions (to ask both sides), providing details (making sure nothing is missed), and much more.
5. When it's time for the Court session to begin, all Court members, including a Jury (if it is a Trial-By-Jury) file in, and everyone takes a seat.  Silence is a virtue, and consent must always be had before speaking in the Courtroom.
6. First, the Judge will welcome everyone, and then ask the Plaintiff's attorney to open the case. The Plaintiff's attorney will then outline the case, address his client (the Plaintiff), and briefly mention what is expected in compensation. (The Court reserves the right to change any compensations if the lawsuit is won.)
7. The Judge will then ask the Plaintiff's attorney to briefly tell his client's story. This is a brief overview for the Court. No objections are allowed during this testimony.
8. The Judge will then ask the Plaintiff himself to recount a detailed version of the story.  This story should be long, and may include anything.  Again, no objections are allowed during this testimony.
9. Having heard the story twice, the Judge will then ask if the Defendant's attorney has any questions for the Plaintiff.  The Plaintiff must answer these questions himself (as in, the Attorney may not speak for him).  The Defendant's attorney may ask as many questions as he likes, as long as it pertains to the case and follows the court's rules. Objections by any party are allowed during questionings.
10. The Judge will at this point then give the Plaintiff's attorney the chance to ask his client any questions publically.  This is a very good time to present evidence in a light that supports one side. Again, objections by any party are allowed during questionings.
11. After all questions are asked, the Judge will then ask the Defendant's attorney to briefly outline his client's side of the story. This is a brief overview, and should only be for the Court to know what is going on.  No objections will be allowed.
12. The Judge will then ask the Defendant himself to detail a long recount of his story.  No objections will be allowed.
13. The Plaintiff's attorney will then be given a chance to ask the Defendant questions; the Defendant's attorney may not speak for his client, and objections are allowed in questionings.
14. After the Plaintiff's attorney asks all his questions, the Judge will give the Defendant's attorney an oppurtunity to ask his client any questions.  Again, this is a very good time to present evidence in a light that supports one side. And again, objections by any party are allowed during questionings.
15. After all questions are asked, the Judge will ask if the Jury has any questions for either side. 
16. Once all questions have been answered, the Judge will then ask the Plaintiff's attorney if he has any questions for the Defendant's attorney.
17. The Judge will then give the Defendant's attorney a chance to ask the Plaintiff's attorney any questions.
18. The Judge will then ask for closing statements (first the Plaintiff's side, then from the Defendant's side; closing statements are generally said by the attorneys), and then call for Order.
19. The Judge will then decide if it should be an in-house decision or an extended decision.  In the case of an in-house decision, the Judge/Jury will decide their verdict while the Court is still in session.  In an extended decision, the Court is adjourned first, and the verdict decided and released out of a court session. Extended decisions are ideal for cases that contain more evidence to sift through.
20. After the verdict is given, so are punishments and compensations.  If a party does not have enough money to pay off a fine, they will be granted a loan that must be paid within a month.  If the loan is not paid, the party must work off their loan in the New Signet Long-Term Jail.

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