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[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Now that we have dorfs not being immediately linked to their crimes it would make sense a new aspect to add to the justice system beyond the jail is a courthouse where a noble appointed by the mayor would be able to mediate the discussion of a crime and the witnesses, victims, and suspects.

It would speed up the accusation process as without the sheriff must find each individual in the fortress and talk to them separate but with a courthouse these things can happen more efficiently.

After a crime the sheriff could gather any evidence(just what he saw in general or any clues as well as witness/victim/etc names) then he can report to the judge and have a meeting with him to provide him this information. Then the judge will issue a summons for all the witnesses, the sheriff, and victims.

Next the player would hear what each person has to say regarding the crime. This will create a list of potential suspects. The player then can choose which of the suspects he wants to call to the courthouse to hear their side of the story such as whether they think their accuser has a grudge against them/have an alibi. Calling dorfs to testify as a suspect would produce a negative thought so calling all the suspects would not be wise as it could contribute to the random fun stuff I detail further.

Then after hearing all the suspects stories that you summoned the player would choose which dorf they believe did it and the sheriff would take them to jail.

During the trial to spice things up some random fun could happen such as accused dorfs getting enraged and going berserk or throwing tantrums in the courthouse. Also can be based on the true person who committed the crime wanting to avoid jail so going in a "berserk" state.

In the event of a loyalty spiral, instead of it going crazy out of control, if the sheriff is able to beat the treacherous bastard enough they can arrest them and bring them to the courthouse for trial as well instead of things spiraling out of control always which would give additional incentive for a competent sheriff.

[Neonivek]

It would speed up the accusation process

That is odd given that courts in fact slowed it down considerably. As a court replaces a single person simply putting you in jail.

Heck do we even need a judge? Let the Sheriff do it (make him a Magistrate... I think that is the proper term)

[knutor]

A high liar should be able to get away with a murder ea year. 
A high comedian should get his time in lockup shortened for good behavior. 

I'd want a torture chamber over a courthouse.  Sure ya can live, after I pull a few fingers off ya for stealing.  Thumbscrews could be made from screw presses and a lever, and an aid for shortening sentences.  72 days on the restraint, or 36 in the stockade.  18 in the thumb screws.  And 9 on the spiked brazier.  With gradually worse side effects as the time limit decreases.  A spiked brazier, made of training spears and traction benches to drive home the point, that illegal activities will not be tolerated.  Wooden spikes could serve another purpose, in that brazier too, removal of captured bloodsuckers, permenantly.

Sincerely,
Knutor

[knutor]

Flayed for Fish Bait.  That could be a 1d sentence.  Run through a disc trap.  One in three runners live, rest go into chum buckets.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

Well I know in real life justice is slower cause of court systems, but game-wise as I explained otherwise the sheriff must go round the fort finding each witness and talking to them separately while with the courthouse multiple people are questioned at the same time.

A torture aspect of justice system could be a neat addition too. It could be a tool as part of the solving of a crime or as punishments your sheriff can give as he sees fit to prisoners. More sadistic sheriffs could get positive thoughts from torturing the prisoners, while the prisoner would get negative thoughts.

For the use of torture in the solving of crimes, it could be a tool to try and coerce a confession from a suspect, but you can't be 100% sure the confession is real, just as real torture generally is highly ineffective at getting true information.

[Neonivek]

The problem is that it sort of goes against the entire point of having a Court house which would be ok for a game that isn't a simulation however Dwarf Fortress is.

Especially since in general you question everyone before they even enter the courthouse. The point of a Courthouse, ignoring that your in Fort that includes a royal meaning they can enact justice on their own, is for both a display as well as a sense of investigation (as opposed to someone just putting you in jail)... Not for time saving.

For the use of torture in the solving of crimes, it could be a tool to try and coerce a confession from a suspect, but you can't be 100% sure the confession is real, just as real torture generally is highly ineffective at getting true information.

It was rather sad that for the most part people romanticised how far an innocent person would retain it.

[knutor]

Detective work and investigative work probably depends on the Intuition and Social Awareness.  At least thats the traits I'd give Columbo.

A courthouse could be avoided if two new nobles were added.  Judge and Torturer

[astaldaran]

yes Magistrate would be the proper term---and yes a seperate judge probably wouldn't make sense unless it is some sort of high crime against the state, in which case a Royal could personally be the decider.  When religion gets implemented, religious courts would be a great add on where the religious group tries to get the royals (especially if they are of that religion) to use State's power to administer religious rules---religions could have rules like celibacy for certain professions, diety rules (you must never eat alcohol that is from a plant above ground), other procedural generated things.    While some of the sadist parts of human history (and some of the most important) has been when a particular religious establishment has coerced the State; they also turn out to be the most interesting which is what Dwarf fortress is about.  Guilds can also do the same; perhaps even families..etc


I think the proceedings should happen in the throne room.  And I kind of think the player should have less to do with the court thing..not more.