Articuli Civitatius

**The Articuli Civitatius** is Lettonia's main governance law, and serves as a sort of constitution, and the modern framework for Lettonian law and order.

This body of legislature is the closest body of work the Empire has to a constitution, The Articuli Civitatius (English: Article of the State) was officially created in 2012. The documents combined all of the previous legislature that set the foundation of the Lettonian state into one concise document.

Signed into legislation by Grand Chancellor Varus Caesar in 2012, the Conservative Magna Carta is the modern Lettonian state's version of a constitution but is more or less a set of strict morality laws. It has been amended multiple times since its inception and will likely continue to be amended as the government sees fit.

### **LCAC V.1 (2012)**

I: The subject of abortion is considered a taboo subject and is considered socially egregious and unacceptable. However, it is not banned by the overarching Imperial Government. Individual Imperial Governors may outlaw it and take measures to prevent it within the legal limitations of gubernational power, however, it will not be brought to the Imperial Concilium.

II: All peoples, by mark of ethnicity, race or creed are not to face discrimination, it is forbidden by the highest levels of law in the Empire. Service may not be denied for this reason, nor may remarks or slurs be made on this basis. Those who breach this code of human decency can be charged with infractions on Imperial law.

III: Religious tolerance is expected from all peoples, as stated by official imperial law. Reservations or internal biases against certain religious groups may be tolerated unless it is directly targeted towards the individuals of said religion. All peoples of religious faith, or lack of religious faith are broadly protected by Imperial Law. Discrimination based on religion against any religion protected by Imperial Law will result in persecution by the law.

### **Speech Freedom Act**

The Speech Freedom Act of 1996 was signed in by Emperor Varus Caesar, and referred to the freedoms of speech that the average Lettonian is provided under national law.

**Articles of the Speech Freedom Act**

I: Citizens are afforded the basic right of free speech, as long as it is not hateful and or threatening the regime (government). If a person's speech is considered to be threatening to Her Imperial Majesty, Her Government, or her family, extensive action will be taken. Some examples are provided below.

**Non-Threatening:** "Man, the Empire is nice and all, but I really wish the empress or the Concilium would enact some better policies,"

**Threatening:** "I despise the Empire, its government and everything they stand for. I want to kill her, and make her suffer!"

II: Citizens are outlawed from insulting the royal family in any way, extensive legal action will be taken otherwise. (Lèse-majesté) and citizens are not allowed to express anti-regime sentiments by any and all means, including media. This includes art, music, attire and film. This applies to Article II.

III: Social Media outlets, controlled by the government, or by the people have the complete right to take down speech or information they find harmful or detrimental to the greater good of society, whether this be to the regime, to protected groups, or otherwise.

IV: Citizens may swear in public, though should not aim to swear at any individual person.

### **Necessity Act of 1995**

The Necessity Act of 1995 was signed in by Grand Chancellor Varus Caesar, and referred to the necessities, that natural born citizens have a right to possess under national law.

**Articles of 1995 Necessity Act**

I: Lettonia is not a welfare state, it is not ensured by law, but individuals or families may apply for financial aid from local 'Financial Aid Offices' located in most cities. The Imperial Government has almost no problem granting these people some extra funds to get out of a tough spot, as it happens to everyone.

II: All natural born Lettonians have the human right of universal health care. This is to not be infringed upon or denied under any and all circumstances, by race, creed, religion, or gender.

III: The average citizen is to treat the homeless with respect. Homeless individuals are to attempt to remain in this state for as little time as physically possible and are to attempt to rebuild their lives as quickly as possible. Homeless citizens are entitled to Article I (See Above)

IV: Homeless shelters may only shelter an individual for a maximum of 12 months before they must be removed. Any individual who is known to drift from shelter to shelter to take advantage of their services are to be refused without hesitation.

### **Economic Reformation Act of 1986 (2006)**

The Economic Reform Act of 1986 was signed in by Emperor Varus Caesar, and referred to the freedoms of economics that the average Lettonians are provided under national law. It was revised and reworked in 2006.

**Articles of the Act**

I: Citizens are free to establish and set up their own business, as long as they receive a permit from their local governor's office. A business must be legal, have open books, open tax records and the like to ensure total transparency.

II: Businesses may trade or import from other nations, though all books are monitored by the government to prevent contraband or illegal items from entering regulation.

III: Citizens are free to choose their own career, though are expected by social customs to go to college/university. Those who wish to go into trades are strongly encouraged to go into trade school.

IV: Citizens in industries that require physical labor (mining, rigging, construction, industry) are allowed to unionize if they so desire to. If a strike is organized, businesses may employ whatever means necessary to deal with said strike in as reasonable a manner as possible.

V: Private business, as long as it is approved by the regime, may exist without issue, as long as they are transparent, pay their taxes and treat their workers with basic human rights.

VI: Citizens may open their own personal banking account when they become sixteen years of age. Bank tellers have the responsibility to refuse this to any individual fifteen years or younger.

VII: All citizens are given the ability to purchase and own land, except for ex-criminals, which have lost the right for this, once they turn of age (18)

**Economic Reform Act-Amendment II-2006**

VIII: Citizens may purchase goods via the internet.

### **Personal Freedoms Act of 1989**

The Personal Freedom Act of 1989 was signed in by Emperor Varus Caesar, and referred to the personal freedoms that the average Lettonians are provided under national law.

Articles of the Act

I: While dress codes are not formalized by law, traditional, acceptable dress is dictated by cultural groups. Typically, Lettonian men wear suits, ties, button up shirts and pants. Or, in a way, traditionally masculine wear. Females typically wear ankle length dresses or knee length skirts, button up blouses. Women are encouraged to keep their hair long, men's hair short, and the likes.

**(This is to be removed once the traditional dress page is constructed)**

II: Women may pierce their ears, but that is all, nose, navel, lip and other piercings are considered violation of the body socially, and is strongly discouraged.

III: Men are not allowed to circumcise their bodies for any reason.

IV: Citizens may start to work with parental permission when they are sixteen years of age. They do not need this permission when they turn eighteen.

VI: Prostitution is highly illegal, and prostitutes or other sex workers are void of any rights, and are considered outcasts socially.

VII: The age of consent is eighteen. Anyone who is above this age can legally engage in sexual intercourse upon being married. Defying this is breaching the basic code of morality. Anyone above the age of eighteen who engages in sexual intercourse with an individual below the age of eighteen will be tried for pedophilia, whether or not the encounter was consensual. If found guilty, execution is a viable card.

VIII: Citizens may purchase and use marijuana, though this is to be kept as secret as possible. Hard drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and LSD are forbidden under any and all circumstances.

IX: Citizens may own firearms, though this is limited to handguns and shotguns. Military grade weapons are available to those citizens above age 18, have no criminal record or jail time, and psychological analysis proves they are sound body and mind to themselves and others.

X: Gambling law dictation is given to Imperial Governors and provinces, and is not determined by the Imperial Government.

### **Minority Rights Act of 2017**

The Minority Rights Act of 2017 was signed in by Grand Chancellor Vesuvia Caesar, and referred to the personal freedoms that the average minorities are provided under national law.

Articles of the Act

I: Citizens may write and publish works in foreign languages.

II: All citizens have access to healthcare.

III: Businesses may refuse business for whatever beliefs or reasons, though they are not able to state why.

IV: Anti-Discrimination protocols are protected by law.

V: Same-Sex marriage is illegal, though relationships as a whole are not. Same-sex couples are allowed to exist and are people just like everyone else, and they may adopt children.

VI: Pahlavishan recognizes two genders: Male and Female.

VII: Minorities have the same legal rights as all other citizens.

VIII: Non-native speakers may request an interpreter.

IX: Segregation is forbidden in Meridionalis Lettonia.

### **Information Freedom Act of 2010**

The Information Freedom Act of 2010 was signed in by Grand Chancellor Varus Caesar, and referred to the information freedoms that the average Lettonians are provided under national law.

Articles of the Act

I: The government does censor websites or pages deemed harmful to the people.

II: Citizens may access international media.

III: Flow of information on social media is heavily restricted.

IV: Citizens may send photos to other people in other locations.

V: Citizens may send international packages or letters, though they are vetted and investigated to make sure there is nothing dangerous being sent.

VI: Citizens are forbidden from establishing their own media outlets.

VII: Citizens may choose whatever form of journalism to digest and consume.

VIII: International media may open outlets to operate in Pahlavishan.

IX: Reporters and media are to remain unbiased and tell the truth no matter what.

X: Press and reporters may ask politicians and members of government questions.

### **Mors Reipublicae (1985)**

The Mors Reipublicae was the first act passed by the modern Lettonian government under Varus Caesar in 1985. This act reformed and permanently altered the election system and political scheme. This act was the final blow to kill the corrupt, withering Republican system which had plagued the nation for centuries, and even millennia.

Aspects of the Act

I: Elections are banned.

II: Citizens may petition the government for action on a particular issue. The government is obliged to respond within 30 days of the petition. In order for a petition to be considered valid, it must have at least 10,000 signatures or more.

III: The public may criticize the regime, though it cannot openly step out against it.

IV: Politicians may be contacted by the public directly.

### **Criminal Rights Act of 1999**

The Criminal Rights Act of 1999 was signed in by Grand Chancellor Varus Caesar, and referred to the personal freedoms that the average Lettonians are provided under national law.

Articles of the Act

I: The nation uses a system of 'guilty until proven innocent'

II: Citizens are granted to the right to a free and fair trial.

III: Prison reform... ahhhh... we'll get to that at some point.

IV: Incarcerated people, depending on behavior, sentence and crime may or may not be allowed to contact friends and family.

V: Execution is the worst punishment available. For execution types, reasons and options, view the 1999 Capital Punishment Act.

VI: Children suspected of committing crime are exempt for law, instead the parental units are charged for improperly raising said children and child neglect.

### **Capital Punishment Act of 1999**

This act was signed in conjunction with the Criminal Rights Act of 1999.

Reasons Execution is ascribed to a convict.

I. Murder

II. Rape

III. Pedophilia (consensual or not)

IV: Treason

V: Extensive Fraud

VI: Threat To Society

Types of Execution provided by the State

I: Firing Squad

II: Lethal Injection

III: Hanging

IV: Electrocution

### **Religion and Citizenship Act of 2019**

This act was properly redone by Vesuvia S. Caesar in 2019.

Articles of the Act

I: Citizens are granted the freedom to choose a religious faith if they so choose.

II: Any person born in Meridionalis Lettonia is granted automatic citizenship.

III: Citizens may apply for citizenship for up to five other nations.

IV: Foreigners may apply for dual citizenship.