DOJ COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE

1. Authority & Core Principles

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is the authoritative in-character source for court procedure, warrants, bail, judicial process, prosecution, defense representation, and interpretation of Zentra law. Department SOPs may explain how their members carry out these rules, but may not create a conflicting legal standard.

• Fair process comes before winning a case.
• Judges must remain neutral and recuse when a conflict or meaningful bias exists.
• Prosecutors pursue charges supported by evidence and seek fair, consistent outcomes; their role is not to maximize punishment at all costs.
• Defense counsel must advocate for the client within Zentra law and court rules.
• Confidential case information, privileged communications, sealed material, and protected records may not be disclosed without lawful authority.
• All significant filings, rulings, plea agreements, warrants, and dispositions should be documented.

2. DOJ Roles & Chain of Command

A member should use the nearest appropriate supervisor for routine issues. Conflicts involving a direct supervisor, judicial ethics, harassment, or sensitive misconduct may be escalated beyond the normal chain of command.

3. Criminal Cases

3.1 Intake and Charging

Criminal cases normally begin with a law-enforcement investigation and documented evidence. The prosecution reviews the available report, physical evidence, witness information, statements, and other discoverable material before deciding what charges to pursue.

• Charges should match the documented conduct and applicable Zentra law.
• Material evidence intended for trial must be preserved and disclosed to the defense through discovery.
• A defendant must be informed of the charges and given a meaningful opportunity to obtain counsel before a contested court proceeding.
• A guilty plea must be knowing and voluntary. Plea agreements requiring judicial approval are not final until approved.

3.2 Pleas and Plea Agreements

• Recognized pleas include Guilty and Not Guilty. Any special plea recognized by Zentra law must be expressly supported by the current penal/legal code.
• Prosecution and defense may negotiate reduced charges or sentencing recommendations.
• A plea agreement must be documented and presented to the judge when judicial approval is required.
• A plea agreement may include cooperation or testimony, but coercion, undisclosed promises, or fabricated consideration are prohibited.

3.3 Sentencing

Sentencing must follow the current Zentra penal code, statutory caps, judicial rulings, and any valid plea agreement. Department SOPs may not independently create a different sentence or fine.

4. Bail & Pretrial Release

Bail is governed by DOJ policy. PD may process bail when authorized, but officers must use the DOJ standard rather than a separate departmental formula.

• Default maximum bail: 25% of the total eligible fines, unless a judge orders otherwise.
• Bail may be denied when the charged conduct is ineligible, a judge orders detention, or there is a documented substantial safety/flight concern under Zentra law.
• First Degree Murder should not receive bail without judicial approval. Attempted Murder and similarly serious violent charges should receive heightened review.
• Release conditions may include an ankle monitor, court appearance requirement, no-new-crime condition, check-ins, or other conditions ordered by the court.
• Failure to appear may result in a warrant and additional consequences under the current penal code.

5. Civil Cases & Appeals

5.1 Civil Cases

Civil cases resolve non-criminal disputes. The plaintiff must identify the opposing party and provide enough evidence to support the claim. Monetary limits, filing windows, and special evidentiary requirements are controlled by the current Zentra civil rules and may be updated without rewriting the entire SOP.

• Civil litigants may be represented by counsel.
• Judges may dismiss claims that are unsupported, untimely, duplicative, or outside the court's authority.
• Government-related civil claims must be handled without staff favoritism or retaliation.

5.2 Appeals

An appeal is not a second trial simply because a party dislikes the result. The appealing party should identify the charge/ruling being challenged, the original incident or case, the claimed error, and the requested remedy.

• Prior plea agreements may limit appeal rights depending on their terms.
• The reviewing judge should not be the same judge when a conflict exists or meaningful impartiality concerns are present.
• Appeal outcomes and reasons should be documented.

6. Case Intake & Scheduling

1. Open a case record and assign a case number.
2. Record parties, counsel, related police incident/report numbers, charges or claims, and requested relief.
3. Assign an available judge and, for criminal cases, an ADA/prosecutor without conflicts.
4. Exchange discovery and resolve scheduling conflicts.
5. Set the hearing/trial date and provide notice to all required parties.
6. Document continuances, failures to appear, settlements, pleas, rulings, and final disposition.

7. Courtroom Procedure & Etiquette

• Courtroom participants must remain respectful and speak when recognized by the judge.
• Weapons are prohibited for civilians unless specifically authorized; law enforcement and court security follow their approved duty policy.
• Masks or disguises that prevent identification may be prohibited by the presiding judge.
• The judge may remove disruptive persons, hold proceedings, or impose lawful contempt-related consequences consistent with Zentra rules.
• Formal attire is encouraged for court RP; reasonable character-appropriate clothing should not automatically block access to justice.

7.1 Trial Order

1. Opening statements.
2. Prosecution/plaintiff presents witnesses and evidence; opposing counsel may cross-examine.
3. Defense/respondent presents witnesses and evidence; opposing counsel may cross-examine.
4. Rebuttal if permitted by the judge.
5. Closing arguments.
6. Judicial findings/verdict and, when applicable, sentencing or remedy.

8. Evidence, Discovery, Motions & Objections

8.1 Discovery

Discovery includes material evidence gathered in the investigation that may be used in court, including physical evidence, reports, recordings, statements, and relevant witness information. Evidence should be disclosed early enough for meaningful review.

8.2 Motions

8.3 Common Objections

9. Warrants & Court Orders

Search and arrest warrants must be based on a documented factual showing sufficient under Zentra law. A judge reviews the request independently; approval is not automatic.

• Warrant applications should identify the target, place/property when applicable, suspected offense, supporting facts, and requested scope.
• The executing officer must stay within the authorized scope unless a separate lawful basis arises.
• Warrant returns/results should be documented in the related case or MDT record.
• Emergency exceptions, if recognized by the current legal code, must be specifically documented rather than assumed.

10. Ethics, Conflicts & Discipline

• No DOJ member may use office for personal gain, retaliation, favoritism, or to manipulate another character's case.
• Attorney-client privilege and protected case information must be respected.
• Judges must recuse from matters involving meaningful personal conflicts.
• Prosecutors must disclose material exculpatory information available to them.
• Fabricating evidence, knowingly presenting false evidence, or intentionally hiding required discovery is serious misconduct.
• Discipline should be documented and proportionate, with serious matters escalated to DOJ leadership and server staff when OOC rules may also be implicated.

11. DOJ–Law Enforcement Coordination