Federal Articles

Origin

The Federation stood as the official government of Earth in 2067, after the fall of the Chinese Hegemony. While the Federation had plenty of Criminal Justice and Civil Justice documents and articles established prior to this point, the Federation was finally free to focus its efforts on the re-establishment of Humanity on Earth could they reorganize the aforementioned laws. After the reorganization of their laws, the Federal Council had made available the official Federal Articles that make up the official Federal Law.

Federal Law applies to all bodies that fall under the Federation's influence. While SICON has also adapted the old Uniform Code of Military Justice when handling the nuanced cases within their ranks, and Planetary Bodies are free to create local laws that are better suited for their locale, all laws are overruled by Federal Law.

Federal Articles

If any of the following Federal Articles or a heinous act is committed, a General Court Martial would be required to address the issue(s) and render appropriate punishment(s).

Article 2 - Interchangeable nature of rank grades

Except where otherwise mentioned, any reference to rank within these codices shall otherwise include ranks of equal stature within the other branches of the Federation Military (for example, MI Colonel = Fleet Captain).

Article 3 - Retrospection

Except where otherwise noted, all laws shall become active from the date that they were issued, and shall not be retrospective.

Article 6 - Mercy Killing

Where any individual, irrespective of rank and inclusive of civilians, has no realistic chance of survival, or where their injury threatens the safety of the rest of the unit, the commanding officer of said unit may take it upon himself to execute the wounded individual so as to prevent further suffering. This should be conducted in a manner respectful and becoming of its gravity.

Where it is proven that an article 6 execution was performed unlawfully, the performer may be charged with article 118 (Murder) or article 119 (Manslaughter).

6(b) - Delegation of command

The commanding officer may delegate the actual execution should it be dangerous or prohibitively impractical for the commanding officer to perform it.

Article 11 - Field Executions

Any person who commits an offence punishable by death whilst in the field may be summarily executed by or on the order of the operation commander.

"In the field" should be construed to mean any active combat operation the commission of a court martial would be impractical and would significantly jeopardize the viability of the mission objectives.

Article 40 - Detainment of officers otherwise superior to the detainer

An officer superior to the detainer may only be detained where they are ordered to by an officer superior to the detainee, or where the detainee unlawfully poses an active hazard to themselves or those around them.

Violation of this article shall be punishable by summary court-martial, up to and inclusive of 20 lashes.

Article 41 - Authority of the Military Intelligence Marine Corps to investigate and prosecute offences

Except where otherwise mentioned, a Military Intelligence Marine, where in the performance of their duties as a Military Intelligence Marine, acts with the authority of a Master Sergeant.

Article 42 - Authority of Military Intelligence to investigate offences

Except where otherwise mentioned, a Military Intelligence official may launch an investigation into any court-martiallable act or omission of any officer irrespective of rank. Military Intelligence may then seek out a suitably impartial commissioned officer to initiate a court-martial in order to hold the officer to account.

42(b) - Unlawfully interfering in an investigation

It shall be unlawful for any officer to interfere in any Military Intelligence investigation except where the officer in question is not party to said investigation and is ranked Colonel or above, punishable as a court martial may direct.

Article 90 - Assaulting or willfully disobeying superior Commissioned Officer

Any person who (1) strikes his superior commissioned officer or draws or lifts up any weapon or offers any violence against him while he is in the execution of his officer; or (2) willfully disobeys a lawful command of his superior commissioned officer shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, and if the offense is committed at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.

90(b) - Extension to Non-Commissioned Officers

The offence described in article 90 (Assault against a superior commissioned officer) shall now be expanded to include assaults against superior non-commissioned officers. The wording "commissioned" shall be replaced with "commissioned or non-commissioned".

90(c) - Psychic Assault

Any person subject to this chapter who willfully and unlawfully uses any form of psychic power on or against a superior officer, commissioned or otherwise, shall be guilty of article 90 (Assaulting a superior commissioned or non-commissioned officer).