The Laws of Sussex

I. The Council
A. Voting procedures
1. An official poll can only be made by the Count.
2.1. Each poll will run for a maximum 3 days before it's closed.
2.2. Each poll shall have three options: Yea, Nay and Abstain.
3.1. A poll is declared valid with a simple majority of all non-abstaining votes and the majority shall determine the outcome.
3.2. A tied poll is considered as not passed (nay)
3.3. If the result of the poll is nay then a new poll can be created (if needed) with an adjusted proposal.
4.1. Not voting in two successive polls about the same proposal without a good reason will lead to the removal of the right to vote in further polls about that proposal.
4.2. Repeated abuse, defined as not casting votes in any polls for 5 consecutive polls (unless absent with advance notice), will lead to the complete removal of the right to vote on any Council issue for the duration of the council term.
5.1 A poll may be initiated by the Count to overturn the loss of voting rights resulting from section 4.2.

B. Accountability
The Council shall provide accountability to the citizens of Sussex at the individual member level by providing reports on measures brought to a vote within the Chambers. The reports shall contain the following information:

- The measure submitted for vote
- The tally and names of each Council member voting in favor
- The tally and names of each Council member voting against
- The tally and names of each Council member abstaining from the vote



C. Multiple Functions
In order to avoid a possible conflict of interest, a player can not be a member of the council and a mayor at the same time. Should this apply to someone, he or she will have to make a decision and give up one of these functions. Giving up the mayor position will have to be dealt with by the mayor and the running council, for the interest of the Town.


In case of an enemy revolt on a town a council member may be allowed to lead a counter-revolt on the occupied town. This action is the decision of the count(ess).

D. Standards of Sussex Council Members
No one who has ever been convicted of robbery or treason shall be admitted as a council member. They are prohibited from entering council and or registering a list for council elections.

Any convicted criminal can request a hearing in front of the current county council of Sussex to ask permission to post a list or be on someone else’s list for county council elections. The council will then vote on the matter. The vote will last for 3 days and the simple majority wins.

Any convicted criminal convicted of robbery and or treason who has posted a list or is running on someone else’s list with out the authorization of the council will be brought in front of the judge if found guilty he will face a punishment of no less than 5 days in jail with a 100 pound fine to a maximum of 6 days with a 1000 pound fine.



II. The Rights of a citizen in Sussex
A. Right to a Defense Council
Whosoever is accused of a crime in the County of Sussex, shall have the right to Defense Council. This Defense Council shall have access to evidence under the right of disclosure, and may provide mitigating evidence, testimony, witnesses, and may argue points of law regarding only the accused's criminal charges. Defense Council may be obtained from, but is not limited to, the Law Society of England.

B. Right to a trial
No person shall be fined, censured, imprisoned, or otherwise punished without first having a trial as defined by his Majesty the King.

C. Citizens Actions in Courtrooms
Let it be known that the County of Sussex decrees that all citizens should know how to properly conduct themselves in any of the courts of England, else face a charge of Contempt of Court.

Should one find themselves in the position that they need to either address a court as juror, witness, plaintiff, or defendant, they will conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful. No person shall mock, nor offend the court, by using foul language, speaking a language other than the King's English (if the person does not speak English, then they need to acquire a translator), or speaking out of order of the rules of the court. the judge shall always be addressed as "Your Honor". When entering the court all men must remove their hats, and be properly attired (Level 1 and above).

The court may issue one warning and if the action continues, it will be viewed as an affront to His Majesty the King and they will be charged with Contempt of Court, in addition to any other charges that one may be facing. If found guilty of a contempt charge, the offender faces a fine of no less than 10 pounds. A second offense, shall carry double the fine in addition to a loss of up to four intelligence points.

If a Public Prosecutor or Judge is found in Contempt of Court they shall be held to the same standards. The current Count(ess) shall remove the Public Prosecutor and appoint another to file the charges. After the case has been resolved the Count(ess) can decide to reinstate the person to his/her previous position.



III. The Laws of Sussex
A. The Official language
The official language of our Kingdom is English.
All other languages are prohibited.

The first two times someone is seen/heard speaking a language other than English (on the official forum) will receive a warning by mail (in game) and his/her post will be deleted.
If two warnings are not sufficient, the accused will be put in trial and will have to pay a fine in relation to his/her level...


o Level 0 : 10 pounds
o Level 1 : 30 pounds
o Level 2 : 50 pounds
o Level 3 : 70 pounds


B. Witchery
Whosoever shall dare to create more than one account for any reason , shall respond for the offense of Witchery in front of the Holy Inquisition tribunal. If found guilty, his/her clones are to be burned alive in a public place. The accused will pay a very heavy fine, and will be pilloried for up to several days. In case of repetition of the offense, or well-known abuse, the accused will be hanged by the neck until dead


C. Confidence racket/Swindling
Whosoever shall attempt to manipulate any market in the County of Sussex, for their own purposes and attempt to destroy, either for greed or malice, the economy of the County of Sussex, shall face a competent tribunal for the crime of Swindling/Confidence Racket. If One person is involved the charge shall be Swindling. If two or more persons are involved it is defined as Confidence Racket. Additional charges of Treason may apply at the discretion of the Judge appointed by the Countess representing His Majesty the King.
If found guilty, he/she will be sentenced to pay a heavy fine in pounds and reputation points. Any repetition of this offense will result in imprisonment the duration of which will depend on amount swindled.


D. Profiteering
1.1. Whosoever shall profiteer at the expense of another, sustenance foods (defined as bread and corn), at an inflated price shall be charged with the crime of Profiteering and shall face a competent tribunal appointed by The Count(ess), representing His Majesty the King.

This is a reprehensible crime that preys on the poor souls who toil for their days wages. The offender shall be given one warning to re-price his/her product. If the accused does not respond, they will be charged with profiteering.


* Corn shall be sold at a price lower than 4.25
* Bread shall be sold at a price lower than 8.50
* Wheat shall be sold at a price lower than 15.00
* Flour shall be sold at a price lower than 18.00


Anything higher shall be considered profiteering.

1.2. No person* shall resell any goods purchased from the same market they were purchased from for an increased amount in order to profit.

This is considered profiteering.

Merchants (anyone who sells or purchases more than 20 of the same item in towns they don't live in) must get authorization from the towns mayor prior to posting for sale or purchasing said items. We recommend that merchants register with a merchants guild.

*This will exclude mayors who purchase from one market (player market) to sell on another (town hall), tavern owners who purchase from player market and resell in their tavern, and merchants who have mayorial authorization to sell items purchased in other towns to be sold to the local market.

If found guilty of part 1.1 the accused shall pay a heavy fine of ten fold based on the amount over 3.5, 7, 14, or 17 (respectively) pounds. A second offense and subsequent offenses shall be double the amount of the previous fine, and a third offense will also result in imprisonment for not less than two days.

If found guilty of part 1.2 the accused shall pay a heavy fine of 10 fold of the amount they rob the town or county by this practice. A second offense and subsequent offenses shall be double the amount of the previous fine, and a third offense will also result in imprisonment for not less than two days

E. Slavery
All towns within Sussex boundaries have the right and privilege to set and enforce their own level of minimum wage not to fall lower than national minimum wage of 12 pounds. Towns may decide to have a ordinance of up to 20 pounds for 0 stat jobs.

The process of establishing the minimum wage will be up to the discretion of the current town officers in the way of their choosing. If they cannot decide on a satisfactory way of evaluating and establishing the minimum wage, they may take advantage of the county's voting procedures, posted below.

The methods of enforcing the newly established min wage is to begin by posting the local wage conspicuously in each town hall and in the mayors message. They shall deal with slavery as before, per each town's ordinances, criminals may be prosecuted as usual through the county PP.

Split into to posts for length. See next post for continuation

F. Treason
Treason is defined as any action against our King, our Country, or the County of Sussex. This includes but is not limited to, increasing the vulnerability of any town, the County, Country, or supporting any who do so. This same standard is held for any of Sussex's allies. In a failed attempt, should the defendant be found guilty there will be a fine of no less than 150 pounds, 3 days imprisonment and possible banishment, which goes for their supporters as well. In a successful attempt there will be a fine of no less than 350 pounds, 7 days imprisonment, and banishment, the same standard is held for their supporters.

G. Robbery
For those found guilty of robbery there will be a punishment of no less than 7 days in jail and a fine of no less than 100 pounds. An additional fine may be added to include the value of goods stolen. For those who are reported to have attempted a robbery but failed, there will be a punishment of no less than 3 days in jail as well as a fine of no less than 50 pounds. For each failed robbery attempt after the first, 2 days will be added to the original sentence as well as an additional 50 pound fine.

H. Perjury
Whosoever shall lie, deceive or otherwise misrepresent, with malice the court representing His Majesty the King, shall face a competent tribunal for the charge of Perjury. If found guilty, said person shall pay a heavy fine, and serve one day in prison.

I. Contempt of Court.
A person who is called in front of the court and show contempt by mocking the charges, offending the court, or speaking any other language but His Majesty's English to the court shall be guilty of the charge Contempt of Court. A warning may be issued to the accused in his native language if the court feels the accused does not understand. Said warning will only be issued once. Continued or repeated contempt will be viewed as an affront to His Majesty the King and will be an added offense to the original crime for which the accused is charged. The accused, if found guilty, shall face a fine of not less than 10 pounds. A second offense, shall carry double fines, and a loss of intelligence of up to four points.


J. Obstruction of Justice
Whosoever shall deliberately hide, conceal aid or abet, any person who has committed a crime under his Majesty's laws and governances shall be guilty of the crime Obstruction of Justice.
This includes, but not limited to attempting to conceal or aid the perpetrator through witchery or false testimony.
Moreover, any official (appointed or elected) who is sworn to uphold the law, who attempts to circumvent the valid judicial process or attempts to minimize punishment through perjury, thereby abusing the trust placed in them by the people of Sussex, shall face the charge of Obstruction of Justice.
Punishable by up to one day in jail

K. Fraud
1. Contractual agreements:

Any person who shall take a grant of reduced price items, subsidy, or loan from a town or other person for an agreed service or goods (i.e. fishing, milling, merchant, etc.) and fail to perform said duty or deliver said goods, and who has a complaint filed by one or more of the contracting parties, will be charged with the offense of Fraud.
Documents of evidence must include the agreement between the two parties as well as the expected service or goods.
Sentence will include the cost of undelivered goods or service, plus repayment of initial investment, and a fine at the discretion of the judge.

2. Other agreements
- Tavern owners who fail to deliver the announced meals shall receive one warning to replenish their stock and proof of this has to be send to the official in charge (mayor, public prosecutor, ... ). If the owner fails to do this then he will be charged with the offense of Fraud.
- Taverns must follow the legal price limits for their product. It is illegal to serve nothing (i.e. no food item is listed in brackets after the meal name) if these laws are broken then the tavern owner will be charged with fraud, and if found guilty must pay a fine of 10 times the price of the meal. For each subsequent violation of this law, the fine will be doubled.
- Organizers of lotteries, and other events with goods as a reward, who fail to deliver the promised items, shall be charged with the offense of Fraud.

Sentences will include the cost of the undelivered goods and a fine at the discretion of the judge.

L. Harassment
Is defined as any repeated action, within the context of the game (Web/Forum), that offends or irritates another person. This can be based on anything. Harassment includes intent to insult or upset other people and is willfully malicious. For any action within the game to be considered harassment, there must be attempts made by the victim to stop the harassment. This includes talking directly with both parties and explaining why the actions are objectionable. Everyone must remember that people come from all different backgrounds, and have different standards. If this does not work, the victim is to (privately) go to the proper authority and ask for help. In the forums, go to a MOD; for IG issues go to either the Mayor, his/her council, or the count. Explain to them why the actions are not acceptable. Should the problem continue, this may go to court. It would be the authority you contacted who acts a prosecutor. That could be a MOD (via Mayor), the Mayor and council, or the county.

**Penalties for Harassment shall vary, but shall never exceed the following**


*Fines totaling of 150 pounds PER Harassment charge.
*Limitation of freedoms for a period of 10 days.
*3 day jail term.


M. Strategic resources : iron and steel
Any person purchasing iron or steel from a town should be a blacksmith living in Sussex or an official guild merchant on a trade mission within england.

To purchase iron ore or steel ounces from a town hall market and not meeting these requirements, is an illegal action punishable by the following guidelines:

1st offense: 10 pounds per iron ore or steel ounce + 1 day in mine per 5 ores/ounces (rounded up)
2nd offense: 15 pounds per iron ore or steel ounce + 1 day in mine per 4 ores/ounces (rounded up)
3rd offense: 18 pounds per iron ore or steel ounce + 1 day in mine per 3 ores/ounces (rounded up)

The offender may avoid prosecution if he or she sells the iron/steel back to the Town from which he or she purchased it from for the same price of the purchase within 48 hours

N Banishment
In regards to those found guilty of treason, murder, robbery, or two counts of
attempted robbery there is a possibility of banishment. A vote will be held inside the Council chambers to determine if banishment is neccesary, and if so, for what length of time. The punishment for returning to Sussex before the date set is no less then 7 days in jail

O Fines
Fines: Any defendant convicted of a crime and ordered to pay a fine in Sussex can be sentenced to a reduced fine if they agree to the purchase goods with the applicable tax to satisfy their fine from the County Fair. Once this purchase is completed the fine will be considered paid. Such an agreement is considered a valid contract with the County of Sussex and failure to complete the transaction within the agreed time period will result in the defendant facing fraud charges. The judge may impose a stricter sentence including increased fines if the defendant does not purchase the goods.