Possible Ministry Regulations (Long)

[Jennifer]

No: HPFGUIDX 130279

Hi, I am primarily a lurker, but this is something that has been 
buzzing around in my brain.

What could a cooperative, effective Ministry of Magic do to combat 
the Death Eaters? What kind of punishment will work? I think we have 
seen that even Azkaban is not going to keep those captured off the 
streets for long, so what is the next step without becoming a 
dictatorship, or stripping citizens of all their rights?

I have tried to come up with a scheme that respects individuals, 
while protecting the community. Here in Alabama we have the death 
penalty. While we allow a number of appeals, and prisoners may sit on 
death row for years, that may not be possible to allow for the Death 
Eaters.

I'm not trying to start a political discussion, but I think these 
might be some possible ideas:

Laws
1. Penalties
   a. Death Penalty (AK or veil) for:
      i. Anyone convicted of DE activity with or without Dark Mark
     ii. Death Penalty only available when Wizengamot renders  
         unanimous verdict.
   b. Confiscation of all assets minus a living allowance for 
      survivors in the following cases:
      i. Anyone convicted of DE activity with or without Dark Mark
     ii. Anyone dead before trial who has a Dark Mark and was not 
         registered with the Ministry.
   c. Magic Removal
      i. Anyone with Dark Mark
         1. Unless registered with Ministry
         2. If those registered show evidence of resumed dark 
            activities without Ministry authorization, penalty may be 
            reinstated.
     ii. Anyone convicted of DE activity with or without Dark Mark
    iii. Those who are rendered squibs will then be sentenced to 
         prison for life with possible parole after ten years.
     iv. Available in cases where Wizengamot does not render 
         unanimous verdict.
      v. A prisoner may petition to receive Death Penalty rather than 
         magic removal regardless of Wizengamot vote.
2. Ministry/Wizengamot Protection Policies
   a. Each morning check arms, using spells to prevent glamours.
   b. Anyone with access to sensitive materials will be questioned 
      under veritaserum weekly.
   c. Any Ministry/Wizengamot personnel may request relocation to a 
      secure compound for his/her family.
3. Ministry Accountability
   a. All trials will have at least one press representative.
   b. All prisoners will be questioned under veritaserum if they so 
      desire.
   c. All witnesses will be questioned under veritaserum.
   d. Priori Incantantem shall not be considered as conclusive 
      evidence of guilt.
4. Appeal Process
   a. Death Penalty or Magic Removal penalties shall not be carried 
      out until all appeals are exhausted.
   b. Assets may be frozen pending exhaustion of appeals
   c. First appeal will be for reconsideration by Wizengamot.
   d. Second Appeal will be to an appointed international body.
5. These Emergency Laws will expire one year from date of passage, 
   unless renewed by an eighty percent vote of the Wizengamot.

Notes: I assume here that magic removal is possible. I also assume 
that Voldemort would not be that interested in rescuing those 
rendered squibs. I also allow that some who served Voldemort in his 
first reign might not do so now. 

Bookgirl137