Lawman!! oh, LAWMAN!!!

[RobertScorpio]

Do any of you know whether or not the laws on one Federation world are the same on another? Or, like ths USA, does each planet (state) have its own laws? So, for example, can the death penalty be enforced on one planet, but not another? Abortion? Incest? Doctor assisted suicide?

I am betting that most planets have their own laws. I don't like that answer, but with so many worlds now in the Federation, how could any one regulate what 'galactic' laws are being enforced, and which ones over ride local laws.

I guess Lawyers are doing quite well in the 23rd century and beyond...

Rob

 

[A beaker full of death]

It's based on the U.S. Thus, worlds have their own laws, which are valid as pertains to purely internal matters, providing they do not contravene the laws and Articles of the Federation.

 

[RobertScorpio]

It's based on the U.S. Thus, worlds have their own laws, which are valid as pertains to purely internal matters, providing they do not contravene the laws and Articles of the Federation.

So if a world has a law that, for example, you can have ritual suicide, then it is okay. But if the Federation pass a specific law against ritual suicide, then the planet would have to cease allowing them??

Rob

 

[Sector 7]

It's based on the U.S. Thus, worlds have their own laws, which are valid as pertains to purely internal matters, providing they do not contravene the laws and Articles of the Federation.

So if a world has a law that, for example, you can have ritual suicide, then it is okay. But if the Federation pass a specific law against ritual suicide, then the planet would have to cease allowing them??

Rob

This issue was addressed in an episode of TNG. Mrs. Troi was in love with a man from a planet in which ritual suicide is practiced. Picard could not interfere with or stop it due to the Prime Directive.
Another example is Wesley Crusher receiving the death penalty for stepping on flowers on the "pleasure planet".
Federation Laws are few and apply only to member planets. Planetary Law is the main rule of law.

 

[Michael]

It's based on the U.S. Thus, worlds have their own laws, which are valid as pertains to purely internal matters, providing they do not contravene the laws and Articles of the Federation.

So if a world has a law that, for example, you can have ritual suicide, then it is okay. But if the Federation pass a specific law against ritual suicide, then the planet would have to cease allowing them??

Rob

This issue was addressed in an episode of TNG. Mrs. Troi was in love with a man from a planet in which ritual suicide is practiced. Picard could not interfere with or stop it due to the Prime Directive.
Another example is Wesley Crusher receiving the death penalty for stepping on flowers on the "pleasure planet".
Federation Laws are few and apply only to member planets. Planetary Law is the main rule of law.

Neither the Kaelon nor the Edo striked me as Federation worlds actually.

 

[Sector 7]

Neither the Kaelon nor the Edo striked me as Federation worlds actually.

Agreed. That was my point as well. Hence the Prime Directive applied.
Sorry I can't quote episode titles or planets. I never was any good at that part of fandom.

 

[Michael]

Agreed. That was my point as well.

How can that be your point? I thought this discussion was about Federation law. Of course it doesn't apply on non-Federation worlds.

Sorry I can't quote episode titles or planets. I never was any good at that part of fandom.

No problem. That's what Memory Alpha is for.

 

[Sector 7]

Do any of you know whether or not the laws on one Federation world are the same on another? Or, like ths USA, does each planet (state) have its own laws? So, for example, can the death penalty be enforced on one planet, but not another? Abortion? Incest? Doctor assisted suicide?

I am betting that most planets have their own laws. I don't like that answer, but with so many worlds now in the Federation, how could any one regulate what 'galactic' laws are being enforced, and which ones over ride local laws.

I guess Lawyers are doing quite well in the 23rd century and beyond...

Rob

My response was very relevant to the lines I quote in bold. The OP was asking about Planetary Laws within the Federation. I chose to respond to the question posed by illustrating how Planetary Law would be respected by the Federation. Whereas, the Federation respects the laws of non-member planets; therefore, they must also respect the laws of member planets.
Kindest regards,
Sector 7

p.s.- Thanks for the tip about Memory Alpha... if you have a link, I shall bookmark it, but that doesn't change the fact that I may forget to look it up when I need it. I shall use the information you have given me to offset your legal fees for my advice.

 

[Michael]

Now you're getting me confused. Your response was actually not relevant since the question was about whether there was a difference in the law on FEDERATION WORLDS. Both of your examples are about NON-FEDERATION worlds. So how can they be relevant?

Sorry, but it's four o'clock in the morning in Germany and I should rather sleep.

EDIT: Memory Alpha.

 

[Michael]

Do any of you know whether or not the laws on one Federation world are the same on another? Or, like ths USA, does each planet (state) have its own laws? So, for example, can the death penalty be enforced on one planet, but not another? Abortion? Incest? Doctor assisted suicide?

I am betting that most planets have their own laws. I don't like that answer, but with so many worlds now in the Federation, how could any one regulate what 'galactic' laws are being enforced, and which ones over ride local laws.

I guess Lawyers are doing quite well in the 23rd century and beyond...

Rob

My response was very relevant to the lines I quote in bold. The OP was asking about Planetary Laws within the Federation. I chose to respond to the question posed by illustrating how Planetary Law would be respected by the Federation. Whereas, the Federation respects the laws of non-member planets; therefore, they must also respect the laws of member planets.
Kindest regards,
Sector 7

Ah, okay. Nevermind then.

 

[Sector 7]

Ah, okay. Nevermind then.

GET SOME SLEEP! If you go to sleep now, I'll give you one free shot at me tomorrow!
Nitey-nite, my friend...

 

[A beaker full of death]

So if a world has a law that, for example, you can have ritual suicide, then it is okay. But if the Federation pass a specific law against ritual suicide, then the planet would have to cease allowing them??

Well, I spoke overbroadly in describing Federalism. Again, going on the US model, there is always some tension between the powers of Federal and state (planetary) governments. In your example, the question becomes: does the Federal government have the power, under the Federation charter, to ban such a practice?

 

[RobertScorpio]

So if a world has a law that, for example, you can have ritual suicide, then it is okay. But if the Federation pass a specific law against ritual suicide, then the planet would have to cease allowing them??

Well, I spoke overbroadly in describing Federalism. Again, going on the US model, there is always some tension between the powers of Federal and state (planetary) governments. In your example, the question becomes: does the Federal government have the power, under the Federation charter, to ban such a practice?

Questions like these are why I would love a STAR TREK; BOSTON LEGAL kind of show. Could you imagine the stories they could come up with to mirror our own real life stories? I know most would be against it, but I have had enough of space battles and quick fixes. I want some though provoking law issue driven episodes.

Rob

 

[Timo]

Judging by some well-known TOS examples, not only do different member states observe their own laws, people from Earth or from Starfleet may be ignorant of the laws of another well-established member such as Vulcan. Neither Kirk nor McCoy seemed to have any idea that dueling to death was in accordance with Vulcan law in "Amok Time"... (All the worse when it appears that Starfleet is the main if not the only body tasked with enforcing law!)

One has to wonder what these laws and articles of the Federation could be when they fail to condemn things as basic as murder. In comparison with, say, the UN Declaration of Human Rights, they must be significantly watered down to remain compatible with the planetary peculiarities. (But unlike the Declaration, they might have a solid status similar to the Constitution of the United States and in fact would tie the hands of the planetary players.)

Timo Saloniemi