Federation Police Division (FedPolice)

Civilian Crimes and Legal Terminology

Legal Terminology

Civil Action: Action brought to enforce, redress, or protect private rights. In general, these are all types of actions other than criminal proceedings.

Civil Liability: The amenability to civil action as distinguished from amenability to criminal prosecution. (Note: "Amenability," in this case, means answerable under the law.)

Legal Rights: Natural rights, rights existing as a result of contract, and rights created or recognized by law.

Offense: A general term to indicate all violations of the law.

Crime: An offense against society which is forbidden by law, or not doing something required by law.

Felony: A crime which was a felony at common law, is or may be punishable by death; is or may be punishable by imprisonment in prison, or is denominated as a felony by statue.

Misdemeanor: All other crimes other than felonies.

Infractions: A noncriminal violation of law not punishable by imprisonment, but prosecuted in criminal court.

Confession versus Admission: A confession is a statement admitting of acknowledging all facts necessary for conviction of the crime. And admission, on the other hand, is an acknowledgment of a fact or facts tending to prove guilt which falls short of an acknowledgment of all the essential elements of a crime.

Crimes

Arson: The intentional damaging of property by fire or explosion.

Assault and Battery: An overt act or attempt, or the appearance of attempt, with force and violence, to immediately physically injure another person. The actual unlawful physical touching of another person is battery.

Breaking and Entering: This refers to breaking and entering a habitable property without permission.

Breah of Peace: Violation or disturbance of the public tranquility and order.

Burglary: Entering a habitable property at night with the intent to commit any felony or larceny.

Disorderly Conduct: A public disturbance intentionally caused.

Homicide: The killing of another human being.
A) Manslaughter: The killing of another sentient being without malice.
B) Murder: The killing of another sentient being with malice.

Larceny: Taking and carrying away personal property belonging to another without the consent of the owner and with the intent to deprive the owner of it's use permanently, knowing that the taker is not entitled to it. In other words, stealing.
A)Stealing: Commonly used term for larceny which also means "theft," that is, taking away the property of another. Concealment of merchandise falls under this category of crime. And to be convicted of concealment the offender doesn't even have to leave the premises. Anyone who willfully conceals goods or merchandise (not purchased) while on the premises of a business has committed a crime.
B) Robbery: Is stealing from the person or the person's presence by violence of intimidation.

Rape: Unlawful sexual intercourse by force.

Resisting a Law Enforcement Officer: Obstructing, opposing, and trying to prevent (with or without actual force) a public officer from performing an official duty.

Trespassing: To enter or stay unlawfully on the land or premises of another without authorization.

Enforcing the Law

Below are detailed procedures on how to enforce the laws of the Federation. This section also includes, basic and easy to remember steps on when to use Deadly Force, when to detain, ect.

Arrest Authority

In the Federation, a FedPolice Officer may arrest any person within Federation jurisdiction, including members of Starfleet, and other government branches. This includes visiting governmental parties who enter Federation territory. However, there are certain guidelines stated below that must be followed to ensure detention or an arrest is warranted.

Detention Permitted

A Federation Police Officer may detain a person when there is reason to believe that the person committed one of the following:
A) A felony
B) A breach of the peace
C) A crime involving physical injury to another person, or
D) A crime involving theft or destruction of property.

A good example of this is a person commits a misdemeanor trespassing offense. Usually this does not warrant an arrest or detention, however lets say the person refuses to leave and then begins to shout loudly and making a scene, or throws or kicks something that hits property they do not own. This now has fallen under either "A breach of the peace" or "A crime involving destruction of property" and the officer now has proper warrant to make an arrest or detention.

Manner of Detention

A) Surrender to Officer - If the arrest involves a member of Starfleet or a visiting governmental agent, then the detained person must be surrendered to Starfleet Security as soon as possible. The officer who made the arrest, is also required to contact Starfleet Security immediately after the arrest has been carried out.
B) Manner of Detention - The dentention must be in a reasonable manner considering the offense involved and the circumstances of the detention. This basically means that officer should treat the detained person with precautions necessary for the type of crime committed. For instance, you would not use restraints on someone who simply trespassed into private property and willingly agreed to be escorted away from the premises.
C) Period of Detention - The detention may be no longer than the time required for the earliest of the following: 1) The determination that no offense has been committed. 2) Surrender of detained person to Starfleet security (If involving a member of Starfleet or a visiting government agent) 3) A judicial hearing in which determines the accused guilt or innocence and whether further detention is necessary.

Detention of Minors Under Age of 18

A special rule applies to minors under age 18. For example, if a shopkeeper on a stations promenade or a police officer in the same mall detains a person under the age of 18, they must make reasonable effort to call or notify the parent of guardian of the minor to avoid civil liability. If every attempt has been made to contact the parent of guardian, and it is unsuccessful, than the minor should be detained in the Youth Detention Block of the nearest Federation Precinct under the parent of guardian is located.

Assistance to a Starfleet Security Officer by a Federation Police Officer

A Federation Police Officer may assist Starfleet Security in effecting arrest, preventing escaped from custody, and any other duty where assistance is request by the Security personnel involved. A Federation Police Officer does not incur civil liability or criminal liability for an invalid arrest or any Starfleet procedures that may be violated. However, there is no justification for willful, malicious or criminally negligent conduct by a Federation Police Officer who injures or endangers any person or property, nor is there any excuse or justification for the use of unreasonable or excessive force.

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