Possible Ministry Regulations (Long)

[finwitch]

No: HPFGUIDX 130284

"Jennifer":

> 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.

Finwitch:

I can't help thinking of poor Sirius - you must first make certain 
that people DO, at least, get a trial!

Jennifer:
>    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.

Finwitch: They can't do that. Goblins run the ONLY bank, so wizards 
can't touch the money. AND houses etc. can (and usually are) 
protected with various spells so that no one can FIND them unless the 
owner wants them to...

>    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.

Finwitch: They DO take the wand away for several offences as it is. 
Wizards are born with the magic, and even if it were possible to take 
that birth-gift away, I doubt wizards have EVER bothered to learn how 
(or that they will). Apparently they CANNOT give magical abilities to 
Muggles either...

> 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.

Finwitch:a) you're thinking Muggle way here -- anyone entering 
Ministry building (aside from small children/non humans) IS armed 
with a wand. Presumably that's why the require registration of a 
wand. Moody's Wand-care ought to be everyone's concern.

b. Well, Veritaserum CAN be countered by Occlumency, so it's not 
foolproof. Also, I suppose that if a DE (or whoever) found out about 
sensitive information from a Ministry personnel, the DE would - being 
aware of the process, Obliviate the source as to the 'giving of 
information'. Therefore even the said ministry personnel wouldn't be 
aware of anything... it just wouldn't WORK.

c. Move? Why would they move when they can place themselves under 
Fidelius, unplottable etc. and I doubt they need permission for that, 
either - and I'd say that Gringotts already HAS secure accounts (like 
I believe vaults 711 and 713 to be). Wizards ARE very good in spells 
designed for hiding ever since the decision to hide from Muggles was 
made.

> 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.

Finwitch: If a minor is on trial/a witness, I would have it a 
*Closed* trial - and the Veritaserum isn't all that foolproof, (JKR 
says so in her website) - it CAN be countered by a Master Occlumens 
(and there *could* be a counter-potion as well, which could be taken 
before...) No, I'd say that you just need at least one Legilimens in 
Wizengamot. But more important than describing a trial, we must 
ensure ALL get one.

Jennifer:
> 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.

Finwitch:

I wounder if these appeals would have saved Buckbeak? And considering 
Sirius (possibly some other innocent prisoners), we have to, first, 
ensure that there IS a trial...

You know - I wonder if there's more to why Dumbledore asks 'can you 
hear me' before asking anything else from Barty Crouch- because the 
answer - well, MUST be yes if it's to be truthful - No would be an 
OBVIOUS lie... I suppose that sort of question counters SOME 
techniques used to counter Veritaserum. And - I think that it'd take 
POWERFUL Occlumency to counter Veritaserum AND Legilimency at the 
same time...

Finwitch