[A Letter to Legate Balstan]

[Miranda Marlin]

[a seagull delivers a letter, envelope warded with cantrips against minor tomfoolery. The bird lingers long enough to see if any scribe is less than alert with their snacks]

Dear Legate,

Regarding the "Laches" law:

Crimes like Murder and like Brooking should not be subject to this limitation. Probably a few other capital crimes as well! I feel like the reason for this should be self evident, but there are those who should never, ever rest easy.

Sincerely,
Miranda Marlin.

[Miranda Marlin]

[a followup letter finds its way after a review]

Dear Legate,

Regarding the "Laches" law rewrite:

Certain capital crimes such as murder and brooking still should have no expiry. This kind of feels like the kind of complicated rules-making designed to make people give up so someone can get away with an old murder, to me.

Might want to make a list of who is lobbying for it.

Sincerely,
Miranda Marlin

[Ziya]

Miranda,

If some criminal actually murders or brooks, is discovered doing so as the culprit, and then somehow hides away from murder or brooking without the count of two months being suspended for him having fled Ephia's Well or avoiding trial, then I shall eat crow and amend the law accordingly. However, trust me, that won't happen. Even Gemspell didn't last two  months before giving up and perishing somewhere in the dunes. Even Blackvale didn't last two months. The notion of some murderer or brooker hiding away from Ephia's Well for more than 2 months until they are 'immune' to prosecution is overblown. They will largely perish, disappear, and be lost to the annals of history.

As I said, if I am wrong, you may tell me 'told you so' later. I doubt I will, however.

I also must highlight, emphasize, accentuate, BOLD, the fact that the count of two months may be suspended:

Laches: A person who prosecutes a crime more than two months after the discovery of the crime has committed Laches. The prosecution against the accused person is prohibited or to be discontinued by virtue of the unreasonable delay in prosecution. The count of two months is suspended if the accused person flees Ephia's Well or is unavailable for prosecution or if a Legate approves a suspension of the count for the duration of the Legate's term. Serious.

It is not the simple escape that people seem to have the misconception that it is.

On the other hand, it is crucial that the laches law exists. There are three reasons:

FIRST. It protects the rights of citizens. The lapse of time renders memory fickle, and loses an innocent person his alibis, witnesses, and evidences, that he may otherwise want to rely on to defend himself. The Janissaries, however, can always keep evidence of their own in written form only to ambush an innocent person subsequently after most such evidence is lost to time. There is always a need to balance the power of the state and the rights of the citizens, and the laches law is a crucial law that protects the latter.

SECOND. It encourages the Janissaries to act timeously and without delay. Two months is a long, long time, in Ephia's Well. It outlasts the time of most, and Ephia's Well of one month may well be unrecognizable two months down the line. The notion that two months is insufficient time for the Janissaries to conduct and complete their investigations is simply ludicrous. In practice, criminals are invariably discovered and may be brought to trial within two months. In any case, if the Janissaries do need more time, they can simply ask the sitting Legate to suspend the count of two months for the suspect.

THIRD. It reduces forum-shopping by the Janissaries to obtain the Legate they want before commencing prosecution. You are of the Sagebrush, and this should be very personal interest to your safety. You are also well-aware of how the Janissaries made arrangements for Atticus to preside over Blackvale's trial to obtain a favorable verdict. Imagine if the Janissaries wait until Argent and I are no longer Legates, but there be a sitting Purple Legate favorable to the Janissaries instead, then prosecute you for crimes allegedly discovered during their search of the Sagebrush Hall. The laches law militates against the Janissaries being able to do so, by ensuring that any prosecutions should be conducted within two months.

I trust that the above clarifies.

Live and drink.

Balstan Gloamingdaith
Legate of the First Seat