Governing Legal Documents in Galactic History

 After a remarkably long period of consistent legal doctrines, the Galaxy has seen dramatic shifts in governing laws over the past 30 years as the Republic declined, the Empire ascended--and was subsequently defeated--and the New Republic was then established.  Each regime has had a governing legal document that set forth various principles establishing  rules of conduct, and each with a different focus.

1)  The Galactic Constitution

The Galactic Constitution was the basis for Galactic law for over 25,000 years.  It established the Republic on the principles of freedom, justice, and democracy, with a core element being the Rights of Sentience.  This particular clause outlawed slavery, holding that all conscious, sentient life forms deserved equal freedoms and rights in the Republic.  The Galactic Constitution also created a government that contained an Executive Branch, led by the Supreme Chancellor; a Legislative Branch that invested powers with the Galactic Senate; and a Judicial Branch that contained a Supreme Court and lower Republic Courts to adjudicate cases regionally. 

2) The Imperial Charter

Under the Empire, the Imperial Charter was focused on building an authoritarian, military-based government with a legal code that emphasized classifications of (and prohibitions on) criminal behavior, and giving law enforcement broad discretion to prevent lawlessness and the possibility of rebellion.  Specifically, there were five main classifications of crimes:

- Class 5 infractions: minor violations of law, mostly regulatory in nature as well as public disturbances

Class 4 infractions: crimes such as non-weapon contraband possession; tariff or permit violations; aggravated assault

-Class 3 infractions: Bribery, felony aiding and abetting; grand theft

-Class 2 infractions: Murder or manslaughter; fraud and embezzlement; purchase or transport of stolen goods; unlicensed weapons sales

-Class 1 infractions: Conspiracy against the Empire; violence against the military; piracy; and terrorism

3) Declaration of  A New Republic/New Republic Common Charter

The Declaration of A New Republic redefined the focus of a galactic government on the principles of freedom, democracy, and justice.  These principles were crystallized in the New Republic Common Charter, which laid out a democratic government structure with an increased emphasis on checks and balances and more specifically defined rights and responsibilities of member planets

While upheaval and uncertainty has defined the 30 year tumult of recent galactic history, I am optimistic that the lessons learned from the failures of the Republic and the oppression of the Empire can result in a better, more stable government and set of laws.  

Sources:

Wookiepedia

Star Wars: Scum and Villainy




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