Laws
While laws can vary from acre to acre, let alone system to system, there are a few generally recognized laws that can apply to just about anyone, whether in deep space, or exploring an uncharted planet, etc.
The Accord maintains a standard Security Rating and Monitoring system, designed to allow the countless, overlapping web of law enforcement agencies to have some means of interoperating. The SRM is meant to keep track of individuals throughout Accorded territory, and to track everything they have allegedly done that could be considered relevant to law enforcement. The SRM is not a law enforcement organization, more something like a standards board, classifying various offenses and codifying them into some sort of taxonomy.
Security Standing
Every individual in the SRM database has a Security Standing: a simple, numerical designation that attempts to take into account all legal offenses on the individual's record. In short, commit a crime, the number goes up. Do your time, the number goes down.
| Sec | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 0.0 | Clean record. |
| 0.1-0.9 | Citizens in this range have a number of minor infractions on their record, such as speeding tickets, disorderly conduct, or disturbing the peace. This does not indicate a pattern of violent behavior. |
| 1.0-1.9 | Citizens in this range have one or more minor violent incidents on their record, ranging from brawls to assault. Weapon ownership is restricted for citizens with this standing. Such citizens have restricted freedom in certain high-security zones, such as schools and public installations. |
| 2.0-2.9 | Citizens in this range have shown a consistent pattern of violent or abusive behavior, including rape, child abuse, aggravated assault, or manslaughter. A citizen with this standing is prohibited from owning or operating a weapon of any kind, even civilian-grade shipboard weapons. Such citizens have restricted freedom in many high-security zones. |
| 3.0-3.9 | Citizens in this range are considered a clear and present danger in normal society. Murder in cold blood will instantly land a citizen a 3.0 security rating. Most such citizens are institutionalized until considered rehabilitated. Those who are not are prohibited from entering high-security zones without police escort. |
| 4.0-4.9 | Citizens in this range are considered an enemy of society. This includes citizens who have committed multiple egregious offenses after being previously rehabilitated, as well as known pirates or enemies of the Accord, usually residing in Rogue space or the DMZ. A 4.0 rating means the Accord will arrest on sight. |
| 5.0+ | This rating is used for only the most violent and dangerous individuals, and means a Kill or Apprehend On Sight order for all Accorded personnel. Bounties are usually offered for the apprehension of such criminals outside Accord space. Destroying an Accorded vessel or installation typically lands an instant upgrade to 5.0 status. |
For the purposes of local authorities, Security Standing is merely advisory. One planet may throw you in jail for life for stealing a loaf of bread, another may allow legal murder in the case of an agreed-upon duel. That's for the local authority to decide.
However, for those doing business in Accorded space, Security Standing has very real consequences:
- Starting at 1.0, an individual's right to act as master or officer of an Accorded vessel comes under restriction. Similarly, they may be barred from flights to, from, or through certain Accorded space, depending on security needs. Cargo they carry or ship is subject to additional inspection and restriction.
- No individual of 2.0 or higher is allowed to serve as crew of an Accorded vessel, excepting certain work release programs in concert with Accord Security. Similarly, all such individuals are No-Fly by default, having to secure permission for all interplanetary and interstellar travel through Accorded Right-of-Way from the appropriate authorities. Without such permission, Accorded ships are required to turn them away and report their attempt. Similarly, they may not ship anything through Common Carriers.
- At 3.0 or higher, Accord citizens do not have the right to freedom of movement. A court of law will--or has already--decreed their lawful range of operation, be it institutionalization, house arrest, limitation to a particular settlement, etc. They cannot enter Accorded Starports unless specifically authorized to do so. Should they arrive in one, Common Carrier status does not prevent them from being seized, and the carrier potentially subject to legal measures.