Criminal law in Sanama (Third Republic)

Criminal law in Sanama (Third Republic) is mainly a national concern, with certain exceptions. After the federal system was abolished in 1687, the national government is responsible for criminal law for most of Sanama. Cisamarra and Thanatos however make their own criminal laws in devolved matters, excluding such areas as the national government is responsible for, such as counterfeiting, treason and terrorism. Highpass as a former federal territory comes under the same criminal law as Sanama proper, with the caveat that Highpass may at any time make its own criminal law in devolved matters.

Criminal code

Sanama proper

Criminal law in Sanama proper is enacted in the Criminal Code Act of 1688, consolidating all legislation with criminal penalties into a single act. Parts of it apply to all of Sanama, concerning matters where the national government is responsible for legislation, while the other parts only apply to Sanama proper and, as of 1689, Highpass. All crimes are classified into a class and a grade. The three classes are felonies, misdemeanours and infractions. The grade is indicated with a letter from A to F.

Class	Grade	Standard sentencing range
Felony	A	30 – 40 years, life, natural life
	B	20 – 40 years, life
	C	10 – 30 years
	D	5 – 20 years
	E	2 – 10 years
	F	1 – 5 years
Misdemeanour	A	6 months – 2 years
	B	– 1 year
	C	– 6 months
	D	– 2 months
Infraction		Fine

Crime	Class	Penalty	Comment
Crimes against life and health
Murder	Felony A	30 – 40 years; life; natural life	One of the most severe crimes, involves the intentional taking of another human life.
Manslaughter	Felony B	20 – 40 years; life	Intentional taking of another human life but with regards to mitigating circumstances not classified as murder.
	Felony C	10 – 30 years
Assault	Felony C	10 – 30 years	Intentional inflicting of physical harm on another human person. Depending on severity of the violence and damage caused either classified as a C, D or E felony. The lesser form of assault is termed battery.
	Felony D	5 – 20 years
	Felony E	2 – 10 years
Battery	Felony F	1 – 5 years	A lesser form of assault, involving anything from striking another person with an open hand, to grabbing an arm causing bruises. Also often used for first-time offenders.
	Misdemeanour A	6 months – 2 years
	Misdemeanour B	– 1 year
	Misdemeanour C	– 6 months
Aggravated assault	Felony B	20 – 40 years; life	The severe form of assault. Offenders are prosecuted under this statute when the assault results in severe and permanent physical damage, or if the severe violence is directed towards a child or a public servant. Also frequently used as an alternative charge to murder or manslaughter when the inquisitor fails to prove intent to kill.
	Felony C	10 – 30 years
Assault with a deadly weapon	Felony B	20 – 40 years; life	An alternative charge to aggravated assault when the perpetrator uses a deadly weapon, such as a firearm or sharp object.
Involuntary manslaughter	Felony E	2 – 10 years	Involuntary manslaughter involves the unintentional taking of a human life. Gross negligence or recklessness is usually required. Two exceptions to that rule are involuntary manslaughter while committing a felony, which is usually prosecuted as murder or manslaughter, and involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, which is usually prosecuted as manslaughter C.
	Felony F	1 – 5 years
Involuntary battery	Felony F	1 – 5 years	The unintentional infliction of bodily harm is prosecuted under this section. Negligence or recklessness is usually required.
	Misdemeanour A	6 months – 2 years
	Misdemeanour B	– 1 year
Reckless endangerment	Felony F	1 – 5 years	Anyone that unintentionally exposes another person to possible physical harm through reckless behaviour or gross negligence can be prosecuted under this section.
	Misdemeanour A	6 months – 2 years
	Misdemeanour B	– 1 year
Crimes against freedom and peace
Kidnapping	Felony B	20 – 40 years; life	Kidnapping involves taking control of another person and transporting or imprisoning that person, with the intent of inflicting physical harm, extortion or to force the person to perform an action. The kidnapping of a child or public servant is always prosecuted as kidnapping B, with enhanced sentencing depending on intent.
	Felony C	10 – 30 years
	Felony D	5 – 20 years
Trafficking
False imprisonment
Unlawful coercion
Unlawful threat
Home invasion
Home invasion with intent
Unlawful impersonation
Molestation
Unlawful intrusion
Unlawful surveillance
Crimes regarding sexuality
Rape
Aggravated rape
Sexual coercion
Sexual molestation
Statutory rape
Statutory sexual coercion
Lewd and lascivious act
Grooming
Procuring
Crimes against property
Theft
Grand theft
Grand theft auto
Burglary
Robbery
Aggravated robbery
Armed robbery
Criminal conversion
Taking without owner's consent