Constitution for the State of Vice [Exp. 03/04/2021]

[stormeus]

Constitution of the State of Vice
Adapted from the Constitution of the State of San Andreas (MP)

Proposed Draft Copy, revision 5 (15/3/16)

Section I. Authority of the Constitution

    Ordinance I.
    This constitution applies to the United States of Argonath, into the Vice City Multiplayer area and its
    establishments only.

    Ordinance II.
    By entering the State of Vice, all citizens, visitors, and otherwise are forced to respect this constitution.
    Violating the terms of this constitution is punishable by fine, imprisonment, and/or a court charge.

    Ordinance III.
    The President and Prime Minister of the United States of Argonath are the ultimate authority.

    Ordinance IV.
    A citizen defined in this document is any individual residing in Vice City.

    Ordinance V.
    All visitors and immigrants who have not obtained full citizenship are to receive the same rights
    as full citizens and held to the same standard of the law unless otherwise noted.

    Ordinance VI.
    This Constitution is the supreme law of the State of Vice and its establishments, and any
    law inconsistent with its provisions is, to the extent of inconsistency, of no force or effect.
    The Constitution, however, may not be used to invalidate server and community rules.

Section II. Basic Civil Rights

    Ordinance I
    There shall be no law respecting the establishment of a religion, prohibiting the free exercise of a group,
    or abridging freedom of speech or of the press other than personal insults. There shall be no law restricting
    citizens' right to assemble peacefully, or petition the government. However, if the safety of other
    individuals is compromised, such assemblies and organizations are to be considered illegal.

        Subordinance I
        Those who use their rights as metioned in Ordinance I are solely responsible for any consequences
        their acts may have in relation with disturbance of the peace or Government services. 

        Subordinance II
        No assembly may obstruct the entrance to a governmental or private property.
        Only strikes may obstruct entrances to public property.

    Ordinance II
    The government shall not restrict a citizen's right to bear arms. However, weapons must not be in public
    sight without lawful purpose. This does not apply to appointed law enforcement agencies unless directed
    otherwise by proper law enforcement officials.

    Ordinance III
    The right for private citizens to sell firearms and weaponry extended to weapons which are legal for
    licensed businesses (i.e. AmmuNations) to sell. The sale of weaponry that is illegal for such a business
    to sell is a criminal act.

    Ordinance IV
    Should an individual own a property in the State of Vice, the owner may lawfully request an individual to
    leave their property, with the exception of businesses, which are public markets, and also with the
    exception of enforcers of the law who have probable cause to be on the property. If the trespasser
    is hostile, refer to Ordinance II. A business owner can still use their right of propriety under
    circumstances established in Ordinance IX of this section.

    Ordinance V
    All citizens have the right to pursue happiness in this nation. Therefore, this right shall be upheld unless
    such pursuit involves infringing laws set by the government. Thus, any citizen has the legal right to own
    a home and/or business. Likewise, citizens have the legal right to own and operate a vehicle.

    Ordinance VI
    No individual or group can deny or restrict a citizen's access to their own home or vehicle unless the
    restriction has been established by a government official, judge, justice, or law enforcement officer with
    a valid reason.

    Ordinance VII
    The rights of citizens cannot be denied or abridged by the nation or by any state due to race, colour,
    religious or political beliefs, criminal history, or previous lifestyles.

        Subordinance I
        An organization may still deny a candidate to a job if they decide that the criminal history
        or previous lifestyle of an individual may endanger the organization or the security of the
        nation.

    Ordinance VIII
    A business owner may not lawfully deny a citizen access into their establishment unless:
        - The business is closed, reaching closing time, or is at maximum capacity.
        - A dress code is set or membership is required for entry.
        - The citizen has done or may do unlawful activities or disturb the peace.

        Subordinance I
        A person may be restricted access to certain areas temporarily or permanently.

Section III. Criminal Law

    Ordinance I
    In the case of arrest or detention, a citizen must be informed promptly for what reason they are being
    detained. They shall also have the validity of the detention in question controlled by present law
    enforcement and may be released if their crime is found to be invalid.

    Ordinance II
    A law enforcement officer can search and seize any illegal material only if justified by reasonable doubts
    and reasons. The citizen must be informed prior to the search, and if he feels the reason is not good
    enough, may request a superior authority such as a sworn officer, police chief, federal agent, or
    government official to make a decision. The decision can be contested in a court of law if the decision
    cannot be justified by valid reasons.

    Ordinance III
    All citizens and individuals are innocent until proven and declared guilty.

    Ordinance IV
    All citizens have the right to a fair investigation of their crime, and the right to representation by an
    attorney during an investigation.

    Act I
    Under punishment by law enforcement, no individual may commit murder, acts of thievery or burglary,
    assault, vandalism, rape, abduction, fraud, or any act of harming one's wealth, property, or health.

    Act II
    Production, use, sale, distribution, and/or possession of any controlled substance is unlawful and prohibited.
    excluding the production and possession of marijuana in a public area.

    Act III
    Reckless driving is to be considered any form of driving that could endanger other citizens, and under such
    circumstances, a law enforcement officer can take any necessary actions. Parking can only be done in a
    manner that does not obstruct access to a building, a house or business, or an essential space for public
    services.

    Act IV
    Threats or plotting a criminal act, or encouraging a criminal act is a crime.

    Act V
    Certain acts on national holidays will be valid, and will be announced as temporarily legal by the supreme
    authority of the United States of Argonath.

    Act VI
    Anyone taking part in an offense is guilty of that offense. Anyone encouraging, helping to prepare or
    to commit that offense is guilty of that offense.

    Act VII
    No individual may be judged for a crime that occurred before the adaptation of a law by that law.

    Act VIII
    Anyone who causes, by their presence or by disrupting the tasks of law enforcement personnel, is
    to be charged with obstruction of justice. Anyone refusing to cooperate with law enforcement
    personnel with reasonable cause to act can be charged with obstruction of justice as well.

    Act IX
    Laws regarding law enforcement officials are as follows.

        Subsection I
        Law enforcement is defined as a police officer, Special Weapons and Tactics member,
        and any Federal Bureau of Investigation member who are on active duty, and may use
        any necessary means to restrain a criminal.

        Subsection II
        A person may be suspected without a warrant if they are suspected immediately after
        committing an offense.

        Subsection III
        Persons authorized to issue arrest warrants are the President, the Prime Minister, a
        judge of the Court of VC:MP, the police chief(s) and deputy chief(s), and the Federal
        Bureau of Investigation director(s).

        Subsection IV
        No person is to assist law enforcement if they are not on law enforcement duty
        themselves.

    Act X
    It is not allowed to spy on, follow, track, interrogate, or stalk another civilian.

        Subsection I
        Act XIII does not apply to law enforcement agencies, excluding stalking which is still a crime.

    Act XI
    In order to maintain peace among the United States of Argonath, any illegal protest can be suppressed with
    the use of force that is fair and of good faith or reasonable.

        Subsection I
        Any protest that is violent or otherwise threatening the security or safety of the United States
        of Argonath or anyone within it shall be classified as a riot, and will be handled by law enforcement
        as such.

    Act XII
    A law enforcer cannot be blamed for injuries or death incurred if a suspect resists arrest or intervention.

    Act XIII
    Anyone in a state of intoxication must remain out of public areas, excluding hospitals, bars, and prisons. Those
    who refuse to do so may be arrested for public indecency.

    Act XVII
    Public defecation, urination, or intoxication defined in Act XIII is illegal. Those who do so may be arrested for
    public indecency.

    Act XVIII
    Defense of one's property or belongings is authorized. Any destruction or damage intentionally inflicted upon
    private property is of criminal resort. However, an individual who uses unreasonable force while defending their
    property may be arrested for the use of unreasonable force.

        Subsection I
        Interpretation and investigation of unreasonable force is open to investigating officers.

    Act XIX
    Treason and high treason are classed as the acts of putting national security in danger by breaching security or
    releasing confidential documents, the acts of attempting to establish a new government or overthrow the existing
    one, or otherwise betraying the United States of Argonath.

        Subsection I
        Such acts of treason and/or high treason are subject to a court trial, a large fee, and/or jail time in
        a maximum security or military prison.

    Act XX
    Anyone taking part in an act of corruption is guilty of corruption themselves.

    Act XXI
    Disobeying the law may be punished with immediate jail time or appropriate community service.

    Act XXII
    Disobeying a court order may be punished with jail time and possibly a fine from the court.

    Act XXIII
    Impersonating a law enforcement officer is a criminal act and may be punished with jail time.

    Act XXIV
    The Ogra is a protected class of marine wildlife. As such, hunting it is illegal.

Section IV. Court Laws, Rules, and Procedures

    Ordinance I
    In all prosecutions, a citizen has the right to a fair, speedy, and public trial in the state of the criminal/civil act
    they are being prosecuted for, and the right to representation by an attorney. Failure to attend a court case
    will result in the court automatically ruling in favor of the opposition.

    Ordinance II
    No person shall be put on trial for the same crime more than once. No one in a criminal case shall be compelled
    to testify as a witness against themselves, nor be deprived of life or property without due process of law.

    Ordinance III
    In the event of prosecution, reasonable fines and/or other necessary forms of punishment may be administered.

    Ordinance IV
    A witness cannot be accused in a court case if he committed a criminal or non-civil act. They must be judged in
    a different trial, and nothing which was stated in the previous trial may be used as evidence in the new trial.

    Ordinance V
    Anyone disturbing court processes may be removed from the court by any necessary means.

    Ordinance VI
    No one may speak in a court of law unless authorized by a presiding judge. Only a party's attorney or a member
    of one of the involved parties may speak in a court case.

    Ordinance VII
    The death penalty is hereby illegal within the scope of this constitution.

    Ordinance VIII
    Any person who has died during a roleplay situation may not sue, be a witness, or otherwise be involved in a
    court case regarding that situation.

Section V. Copyright Law

    Ordinance I
    A citizen of the State of Vice (VC:MP) is allowed to apply for a patent, copyright, or trademark if
    it is legal and the applying party or parties own the asset in question or offer at least one product
    or service. Only registered citizensmay request a copyright, patent, or trademark.

    Ordinance II
    Any of the terms listed in the following subsections are not allowed to be used in a patent, copyright,
    or trademark.

        Subsection I. Any product that exists in real life
        Subsection II. Any military organization
        Subsection III. A group or gang
        Subsection IV. Clan or group tags
        Subsection V. Personal names
        Subsection VI. Generic terms involving government divisions.

    Ordinance III
    For violations of copyright law, the party holding the rights to a copyright, trademark, or patent
    may sue violators for up to $50,000, as well as for the group to cease and desist.

    Ordinance IV
    Copyrights are valid for a term of 365 days unless otherwise stated by the courts.
    Ownership copyright may be revoked or transferred by the court if necessary.

Section VI. Government and Constitutional Law

    Ordinance I
    A civilian is allowed to submit a law proposal to the Supreme Court. This law shall be written in
    accordance with the constitution. Judges will then study the law and decide if it is legal or not.
    If it is ruled as legal, it will be put to a public vote as a proposition.

    Ordinance II
    The Supreme Court may review a law and change its status should it violate the terms set in the
    constitution.

    Ordinance III
    Any law can be approved, revoked, or modified by the President and Prime Minister without needing to
    pass through the court system of the State of Vice (VC:MP).

    Ordinance IV
    The Courts may enact, amend or repeal Legal Ordinances which have the effect of law and do not violate
    the constitution. If a Legal Ordinance is inconsistent with this Constitution, the latter shall prevail,
    and the former shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be invalid.

[Willy]

I didnt understood a word... lol

[~Legend~]

I didnt understood a word... lol

Pretty much the laws of state - of Vice City.


I was just reading around the constitution there, it's a good idea in that it states what the courts, police enforce in actual fact.
Some could say that a portion of it would be common sense, or to be related to how it would be in real life.

I have considered whether having a defined set of laws/guidelines of act in things like ARFD, ARPD, and general Argonath are necessary, keeping the nature of this community in mind

[Marcell]

now this is fucking long, might request to read it when the jail guards will ask me for last wish before chair execution

overall im neutral cause it wont change anything in gameplay anyway

[stormeus]

I don't think the adoption of a constitution would hurt. It would pretty much outline basic procedures for police, courts, citizenship, and might also improve RP in court cases.

[Gandalf]

As with the original SA:MP constitution, it is way too detailed. Remember that everything which is written here can and shall be used against you in game.

[Marcell]

As with the original SA:MP constitution, it is way too detailed

this, really. I think it's way too complicated and long, we should just add the basic shit so people would actually bother using it. You think anyone bothered reading this milestone? it looks way too 'seriouz rp servar style'

[Call_me_Dad]

Wont harm much.
It can be always edited

[stormeus]

this, really. I think it's way too complicated and long, we should just add the basic shit so people would actually bother using it. You think anyone bothered reading this milestone? it looks way too 'seriouz rp servar style'

I guess having a court system is 'seriouz rp servar style' too.

This is basically a polished version of the SA:MP constitution, and I'm working on condensing and trimming it.
EDIT: Deleted a bunch of redundant, unnecessary, or unrealistically specific sections.

[ferrari32]

I'm too lazy to read, so I'll just say it's cool
Signed, Ferrari32

[Marcell]

I guess having a court system is 'seriouz rp servar style' too.

This is basically a polished version of the SA:MP constitution, and I'm working on condensing and trimming it.
EDIT: Deleted a bunch of redundant, unnecessary, or unrealistically specific sections.

Court is easy to interact with by average player, this thing is longer than 4chan random section.
Looks better now that you've edited it a little bit

[Gandalf]

    Ordinance I
    There shall be no law restricting the establishment of a religion, prohibiting the free exercise of a group, or abridging freedom of speech or of the press. There shall be no law restricting
    citizens' right to assemble peacefully, or petition the government.

    Subordinance I
Those who use their rights as metioned in Ordinance I are solely responsible for any consequences their acts may have in relation with disturbance of the peace or Government services.   

We do not restrict the freedom of speech regarding personal insults. We do however hold those who use their freedom to insult others responsible for their actions.

[stormeus]

Revised in accordance with the above post.

[Willy]

and what will happen if we break them??

[stormeus]

Ordinance II.
    By entering the State of Vice, all citizens, visitors, and otherwise are forced to respect this constitution.
    Violating the terms of this constitution is punishable by fine, imprisonment, and/or a court charge.