> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.equinoxroleplay.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Out-of-Character Information
> Out-of-character expectations for courtroom conduct, IC/OOC separation, judicial neutrality, and Department of Justice corruption roleplay.
The court system exists to create **serious, immersive, and meaningful legal roleplay**.
Courtrooms give players a place to:
* Challenge charges
* Resolve disputes
* Argue cases
* Establish precedent
* Continue stories that began elsewhere in the city
They are not a place for trolling, OOC arguments, or intentionally low-effort roleplay.
This page contains **Out-of-Character expectations** for anyone participating in Department of Justice roleplay.
***
# Courtroom Roleplay Standards
Court hearings and official legal proceedings should be treated with a reasonable level of seriousness.
That does **not** mean every courtroom scene needs to be emotionless or perfectly formal.
Characters may:
* Become frustrated
* Argue passionately
* Challenge testimony
* Disagree with a Judge
* Be difficult witnesses
* Create dramatic legal moments
All of that can create good roleplay.
The problem begins when the behavior stops serving the scene and becomes intentionally disruptive.
***
## Disrupting Court Proceedings
Disruptive characters may first face **in-character consequences**.
Examples include:
* Warnings from the Judge
* Removal from the courtroom
* Contempt of Court
* Other appropriate IC consequences
However, intentionally trolling proceedings, refusing to participate seriously, or repeatedly disrupting legal RP may become an **OOC roleplay-quality issue**.
An in-character courtroom consequence does not prevent staff from addressing an out-of-character rule violation when necessary.
***
# DOJ & Law Enforcement Are Roleplay Partners
The Department of Justice and law enforcement are not automatically your enemies because your character is facing charges or involved in a legal dispute.
Likewise, citizens and defendants are not automatically enemies of the DOJ or law enforcement.
Everyone involved should approach legal RP as a **collaborative interaction**.
Players are encouraged to:
* Challenge charges
* Question evidence
* File lawsuits
* Argue against government action
* Appeal decisions
* Hold officials accountable
* Build adversarial storylines
Those conflicts should remain **in character**.
A prosecutor trying to convict your character is doing their job. A defense attorney aggressively challenging an officer's investigation is doing theirs.
**Conflict between characters does not need to become conflict between players.**
***
# Resolve OOC Issues Before Trial
Mechanical, technical, or rule-related disputes should be resolved **before a trial begins whenever reasonably possible**.
Court should not become the place where players suddenly begin arguing over:
* Desync
* "Not in my eyes" situations
* Alleged metagaming
* Script or mechanic disputes
* Technical errors
* Evidence affected by server issues
* Other OOC concerns affecting the case
If an issue could significantly affect the proceeding, address it before everyone reaches the courtroom.
***
## When an OOC Issue Cannot Be Resolved
If the involved players cannot reasonably resolve an OOC issue themselves, use the appropriate **staff ticket or reporting process**.
Do not derail a trial with prolonged OOC arguments.
When staff involvement is necessary, the proceeding may be delayed or handled as directed by staff.
Handle legal disagreements **in character** through the court process.
Handle mechanics, rule violations, and technical disputes through the appropriate OOC process.
**Resolve OOC problems OOC and legal arguments IC.**
***
# Judicial Neutrality
Judges are expected to remain **neutral and impartial**.
A Judge may:
* Disagree with an attorney
* Rule against a party
* Reject an argument
* Exclude evidence
* Issue an unfavorable verdict
* Interpret the law differently than a player expected
None of those things alone establish bias.
Judicial bias involves actual preferential or prejudicial treatment that compromises the fairness of the proceeding.
***
## Concerns About Judicial Bias
If a player believes a Judge acted improperly, the concern should be addressed through the appropriate **DOJ or OOC review process**.
Do not turn the active courtroom proceeding into an OOC argument about the Judge.
When credible bias or serious judicial misconduct is established, DOJ leadership may take appropriate action such as:
* Reviewing the proceeding
* Replacing the presiding Judge
* Suspending the Judge
* Conducting disciplinary review
* Taking other appropriate corrective action
***
# DOJ Corruption Roleplay
Corruption involving Department of Justice personnel is treated differently from many other corruption storylines.
DOJ positions may have significant influence over:
* Court records
* Legal outcomes
* Warrants
* Evidence
* Protected information
* The rights of other characters
Because of that, **DOJ corruption is heavily restricted**.
DOJ-specific corruption rules take priority when they are more restrictive than general corruption rules.
***
## Prior Approval
Corruption involving DOJ officials generally requires **prior staff approval** before the storyline begins.
This may include corruption involving:
* Attorneys
* Prosecutors
* Clerks
* DOJ support personnel
* Other positions with access to protected judicial systems or information
Approval should be based around a developed storyline rather than a request to gain access to corrupt mechanics.
A proposal should demonstrate:
* Meaningful roleplay buildup
* A clear storyline
* Reasonable motivation
* Opportunities for other players to become involved
* An understanding of the limitations of the role
***
## Corruption Must Serve the Story
Approved corruption should create:
* Risk
* Consequences
* Investigations
* Character development
* Additional roleplay
It may not exist simply to benefit:
* Friends
* Gang members
* Alternate characters
* Business partners
* Other favored players
**If the only purpose is helping your friends win, it is not meaningful corruption roleplay.**
***
# Judicial Corruption
## Judges May Not Be Corrupt
**Judicial corruption is prohibited.**
Judges may not:
* Accept bribes
* Secretly coordinate case outcomes
* Manipulate verdicts
* Intentionally suppress valid evidence for personal benefit
* Alter sentences through corrupt agreements
* Abuse judicial authority to assist criminal organizations
* Intentionally undermine the integrity of the court
Judges hold one of the highest positions of trust within the legal system and must remain impartial.
***
# Attorney Corruption
Attorneys may participate in certain unethical or corrupt storylines **when properly approved**.
Possible examples include:
* Questionable business relationships
* Undisclosed conflicts of interest
* Shady client arrangements
* Other ethically compromised behavior
Approved attorney corruption does **not** provide unlimited permission to sabotage the justice system.
Attorneys remain subject to:
* Bar rules
* Court procedure
* DOJ oversight
* Applicable criminal law
* The terms of the approved storyline
Corruption may carry significant in-character professional consequences, including **disbarment**.
***
# Clerks & DOJ Support Staff
Clerks and other support personnel may not use privileged access to manipulate court systems without an approved storyline.
Restricted conduct includes improperly:
* Falsifying records
* Deleting filings
* Destroying evidence
* Altering case information
* Manipulating official documents
* Providing protected information
* Using privileged systems to benefit another party
Access to DOJ systems exists to support legal roleplay. It is not automatically available as a criminal tool simply because a mechanic permits an action.
***
# Unauthorized DOJ Corruption
Unauthorized DOJ corruption is considered a **serious rules violation**.
Possible consequences may include:
* Immediate removal from a DOJ position
* Suspension or revocation of a bar license
* Removal of DOJ permissions
* OOC disciplinary action
* Permanent restriction from future DOJ roles
Additional disciplinary action may apply depending on the underlying conduct.
***
# Approved Corruption Still Has Limits
Staff approval does not suspend normal roleplay expectations.
Characters participating in an approved corruption storyline must still:
* Maintain quality roleplay
* Respect established limits
* Avoid mechanic abuse
* Maintain IC/OOC separation
* Accept reasonable consequences
* Follow all other applicable server rules
An approved storyline gives permission to explore a **specific narrative**. It does not give permission to do whatever you want.
***
# Keep Problems in the Right Place
Handle it **in character** through arguments, motions, filings, appeals, and court procedure.
Resolve it **out of character** before it disrupts the scene.
Use the proper staff report or ticket process.
Keep the conflict between the characters rather than the players.
The court system works best when attorneys, Judges, law enforcement, witnesses, and defendants are allowed to perform their roles without every unfavorable ruling becoming an OOC dispute.
**Argue the case. Challenge the evidence. Tell the story. Leave the OOC drama outside the server.**