Laws

The laws refer to a set of guidelines for socially acceptable and unacceptable behavior of Minedonians which have been approved by the Government and normally enforced by Government organizations and local law enforcement. The idea of creating laws dates back to January 2nd, 2022, at a Town Hall meeting. The Minedonian Laws were formally adopted on April 24th, 2023 by President Harpitron at the Bellisario Manor.

## Creation

On January 2nd, 2022, a meeting was held at the Town Hall to discuss the creation of laws in Minedonia. The meeting discussed establishing the Minedonian Police Department, and creating “common-sense” laws. However, the meeting did not produce any specific laws. The same idea of common-sense laws though would be echoed by President Henry on January 7th, 2023. After the Constitutional Convention ended on April 10th, the focus shifted to creating laws. A poll would be posted on April 23rd in Minedonia’s Discord server regarding the approval of Minedonia’s laws. The poll ended with a 6-0 vote. On April 24th, President Harpitron officially signed the Minedonian Laws into effect at the Bellisario Manor.

## Preamble

The Preamble is the beginning lines of the Minedonian laws document and summarizes what the laws are and its purpose.

”PREAMBLE:

Laws issued in the Country of Minedonia shall protect the interests of the People and our Country. Enforcement of such laws lies within the Minedonian Justice Department; which shall contain the Judge and all law enforcement. Laws may be added, altered, or removed with a majority vote of the People and approval of the President of Minedonia.”

## Articles

Articles refer to different parts of the laws with different themes. Each article has a theme relating to either the type of laws or enforcement of them. Articles are broken down into Sections which are essentially paragraphs relating to the main Article(s). Articles and Sections can be amended with a majority vote from the citizens with or without approval by the President, depending on what the amendment is.

”ARTICLES:

Such articles and sections presented in the Minedonian Laws shall reflect the People’s desire for the stability, safety, and overall protection of the inhabitants of the nation of Minedonia. All articles and sections shall be eligible for amendments or other changes with a majority vote by the People and/or approval by the President of Minedonia”.

## Legal Authority

Article I refers to the legal authority the Minedonian laws have on any and all Minedonian territories. It also states that the Minedonian laws shall not violate any international law, and how criminal law would be categorized.

“ARTICLE I:

The laws approved by the Government of Minedonia are legal and just throughout the entire territory of Minedonia. All laws in Minedonia shall not violate any national or international law.

SECTION I:

The laws listed in this document are applicable to all territories, parcels, or other pieces of claimed land claimed/occupied by the Government of Minedonia.

SECTION II:

The criminal laws of Minedonia shall be split between two types of charges: misdemeanor (petty/lesser offenses), and felonies (major/significant offenses).

SECTION III:

Laws created and/or approved by the Government of Minedonia shall be fair, humane, and just. Any law that may be problematic for the greater good of the nation shall be brought up to the Judge and/or the President of Minedonia.“

## Procedure of an Arrest

Article II discusses the four types of crimes that are categorized. It also discusses who can arrest Minedonians and how the procedure for detaining and prosecution would work.

“ARTICLE II:

Criminal offenses in Minedonia shall be split between four different categories: Crimes against People, Crimes against Property, Crimes against the Nation, and Crimes against Justice.

SECTION I:

A police officer may make an arrest so long as there is factual evidence that a crime has been committed in Minedonian territory. All arrests shall be documented and sent to the Minedonian Government for preservation.

SECTION II:

A police officer may assign a charge as a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the crime and the evidence presented. The Judge shall have legal jurisdiction to determine whether a crime is indeed a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the factual evidence presented in a court trial.

SECTION III:

The Judge is granted the legal right to assign any punishment as seen fit by the evidence presented in a court trial and the nature of the crime(s) committed. Punishments must fit the crime committed and cannot be cruel, inhumane, or unjust.”

## Crimes against the People

Article III discusses the types of crimes against people that are illegal in Minedonia.

“ARTICLE III:

Crimes against the People refers to any crime that has been committed against another individual or themselves. The following list consists of Crimes against the People which are illegal in the nation of Minedonia.

Assassination, Assault, Abuse, Battery, Criminal Negligence, Cruelty to Animals, Domestic Violence, False Imprisonment, Genocide, Harassment, Home Invasion, Homicide, Hostage-Taking, Trafficking, Illegal Consumption, Intimidation, Kidnapping, Menacing, Manslaughter, Murder, Negligent Homicide, Possession of Narcotics, Invasion of Privacy, Robbery, Slavery, Stalking, Terrorism, and Torture.”

## Crimes against Property

Article IV discusses the types of crimes against property that are illegal in Minedonia.

”ARTICLE IV:

Crimes against Property refers to any crime that has been committed against a private or public property. The following list consists of Crimes against Property which are illegal in the nation of Minedonia.

Arson, Arms Trafficking, Blackmail, Bribery, Burglary, Embezzlement, Extortion, Forgery, Fraud, Larceny, Littering, Pickpocketing, Piracy, Possession of Stolen Property, Robbery, Theft, Trespassing, and Vandalism.

Amendment I

Authorized by President Harpitron on August 26th, 2023

1. Semi-Automatic firearms are legal to purchase, sell, and own.
2. Fully-Automatic firearms are illegal to purchase, sell, and own.
	1. Governmental entities are exempt from this law.
	2. Citizens may apply for a “Class 3” license, with payment of 500Ð processing fee to the Minedonian Security Agency. Such license will permit citizens to sell and own these firearms.
	3. Citizens will have to be vetted by the Minedonian Police Department, and the Minedonian Security Agency prior to issuance of such license.
	4. Destructive devices are not included in this license and shall remain illegal. “Destructive devices” are those that utilize explosives such as but not limited to: RPGs, Grenades, Mines, Nuclear devices, Energy weapons, etc.
	5. Felons are not eligible to apply for a Class 3 license.
3. If found in possession of an unregistered machine gun, it is a felony punishable by 1,000Ð fine for each violation, and jail time.
4. If found in possession of a destructive device, it is a felony punishable by 3,000Ð fine for each violation, and jail time.
5. Open carry is allowed in public, but illegal in governmental buildings.”

## Crimes against the Nation

Article V discusses the types of crimes against the nation that are illegal in Minedonia.

”ARTICLE V:

Crimes against the Nation refers to any crime that has been committed against the Nation of Minedonia. The following list consists of Crimes against the Nation which are illegal in the nation of Minedonia.

Treason, Insurrection, Tax Evasion, Espionage, Secession, Sedition, Subversion, and War Crimes.“

## Crimes against Justice

Article VI discusses the types of crimes against justice that are illegal in Minedonia.

”ARTICLE VI:

Crimes against Justice refers to any crime that has been committed against the Judge while in a court trial or the justice system as a whole in Minedonia. The following list consists of Crimes against Justice which are illegal in the nation of Minedonia.

Miscarriage of Justice, Obstruction, Perjury, Preventing the Course of Justice, and Witness Intimidation.”