Justice on Pern

[Estelle]

Hi! I have a few questions about the justice system on Pern.

If someone commits a crime, the Dragonlover's Guide to Pern says that the Lord Holder would determine a punishment, but does he also decide if they are guilty? Or would there be a jury, and people (harpers?) making arguments for and against?

If they are a long way from a major Hold, could a minor Holder pass sentence? Does it depend on the seriousness of the crime? If it is very serious, might the other Lords, or the Hallmasters and Weyrleaders, be involved?

What about if they are in a Weyr, or a Hall?

I think there is more about it in some of the later books, but it's been a long time since I read those (I'm up to All the Weyrs of Pern on re-reading) and I don't have copies at the moment, so any help is appreciated.

[Paula]

I reread the Skies of Pern during my vacation and it had a triumvirate of Hallmaster, Weyrleader and Lord Holder needed to exile Abominators, although the impression I got that this was rare and only needed in very serious crimes. Also, the local Lord Holder was rather pissed off, because they go for Jaxom instead of him in this case. Something, something, Lord Holder's right and soveignity. Having a Lord from another Hold to come in as judge cast a bad light on the local Lord.  I don't remember there be anything about smaller crimes.
I presume there would be some sort of procecutor (maybe assistant steward specialized to it) and defender for the accused (harper, steward staff, could be even anybody of the accused one's own choosing). In general the system would be much looser and the evidence "flimsier" than our modern courts.

[Eimi]

My image is that it would be similar to the magistrate system.  For minor offenses, either appointees from the community or Steward's staff sit in a tribunal.  But for more serious crimes, there would be a judge who is trained in law.  For capital crimes and those that affect a larger population of the Hold, the Holder or Lord Holder might preside with advisors trained specifically in law to assist them. 

As far as defenders and prosecutors, I know Archivists are trained in charter law, so they might be called on in the cases of more serious crimes.  But I could also see members of a Steward's staff being trained specifically in law as well.  Perhaps a large Hold might have an Archivist on staff specifically for working in the courts, but smaller Holds would only request one when they feel a case is serious enough to require one.  Maybe it depends on the seriousness of the crime and potential punishment if they have their locally trained Steward's staff handle a case, or a formally trained Archivist.

That's my opinion, at least ;)

[Suzee]

Also in Robinton's journeyman years he settle disputes. So I'm assuming that Harpers are involved as record keepers and lower level adjudicators.  I'd have to go back and re read Masterharper of Pern again to refresh my memory on that.

[Estelle]

Also in Robinton's journeyman years he settle disputes. So I'm assuming that Harpers are involved as record keepers and lower level adjudicators.  I'd have to go back and re read Masterharper of Pern again to refresh my memory on that.

I looked it up, and at one point he sorts out a dispute between two holders about whose responsibility it is to repair a wall, by making them both do it. One side each. :-)

Thank you all - that's a great help!