§4.1 - Classification of Criminal and Civil Offenses

(a) All violations of law in Rivermarch shall be categorized as either Criminal Offenses or Civil Wrongs, with additional designation by severity as follows:

(i) High Crimes – Offenses that endanger the sovereignty, arcane stability, or planar security of Rivermarch;
(ii) Major Offenses – Significant violations involving harm to persons, property, magical integrity, or public order;
(iii) Minor Offenses – Lesser violations remediable by fine, service, or brief detention;
(iv) Civil Wrongs – Contractual breaches, property disputes, or negligence resulting in financial or reputational harm, but not criminal liability.

(b) Classification shall be jointly determined by a Judicial Triad, composed per §2.5.9, during initial review or upon indictment recommendation.

§4.1.2 – High Crimes

(a) High Crimes shall include, but are not limited to:

(i) Treason, sedition, conspiracy against the Council or Lord Regent;
(ii) Unauthorized manipulation of leyline networks, planar breaches, or magical catastrophes;
(iii) Use or creation of prohibited rites (§8.2), soul-binding, or arcane nullification;
(iv) Collaboration with extraplanar entities or hostile powers under §10.1;
(v) Assassination or attempted assassination of a Councilor or tribunal officer;
(vi) Magical corruption or domination of civic institutions.

(b) Conviction of a High Crime shall require unanimous agreement of a Judicial Triad and may carry the highest penalties permitted under §4.5.

§4.1.3 – Major Offenses

(a) Major Offenses shall include:

(i) Murder, aggravated assault, or property destruction exceeding 500 gold in value;
(ii) Magical misfire causing bodily harm or spiritual affliction;
(iii) Fraud, blackmail, or interference with lawful proceedings;
(iv) Possession or trafficking of controlled magical items without license;
(v) Use of magic in violation of §8.1 or without appropriate registration.

(b) Sentencing requires consensus from a triad composed of the Warden, Magister, and one rotating Councilor appointed per case.

§4.1.4 – Minor Offenses

(a) Minor Offenses may be adjudicated by tribunal or licensed magistrate and include:

(i) Theft of goods under 50 gold;
(ii) Public disorder, unlawful signage, or unauthorized magical display;
(iii) Trespass or non-violent resistance of guard instruction.

(b) Minor Offenses shall be documented and reported to the Council quarterly and may be escalated to Major status upon repeated violation or resistance.

§4.1.5 – Civil Wrongs

(a) Civil Wrongs include, but are not limited to:

(i) Breach of contract;
(ii) Negligent magical practice causing indirect harm;
(iii) Failure to meet charter obligations or levy commitments.

(b) Civil disputes shall be adjudicated by tribunal or Arbiter-at-Contract, with appeals permitted under §6.4.5.

§4.1.6 – Codification and Review

(a) The Council shall maintain a Register of Offenses, updated annually and reviewed by the Warden and Magister, with classification examples, case precedent, and sentencing ranges.

(b) Offenses not expressly enumerated may be classified by a Judicial Triad based on harm, magical risk, and civic precedent.