Clan Constitution

Article I - Clan Policies
1. Promotions
Many factors are taken into consideration when deciding promotions. For a member to be promoted it is essential that they are active on the forum, loyal to the clan, have the proper attitude, and contribute to the overall growth of the clan. In many cases, the incorrect attitude can be a member's greatest enemy when seeking a promotion. Constantly asking for a promotion does not help either, but all members are encouraged to inquire about what they need to do to climb the ranks. Gaming skill alone is not enough to earn a promotion. However, if a member where to use that skill to consistently bring new talent into the clan, that member's efforts would be rewarded accordingly. Another huge factor is time. We take into account the amount of time you have been in the clan as well as the amount of time since your last promotion. Other factors for earning a promotion include but are not limited to seniority, participation, dependability, and the ability to follow directions.

2. Recruitment
All members of DLS are expected to recruit in the games we play, although we encourage all members to help bring in other members that may play other games to expand our gaming community.

3. Multi-clanning
The Dark Lords of the Sith permits multi-clanning as long as the member who chooses to multi-clan adheres to a few modest policies. Firstly, a member must present minimal information about the clan they wish to join as well as why they wish to join it. In general, multi-clanning slows the rate of promotion and can sometimes prevent members from taking on certain jobs. However, this strongly depends on the type of clan the member chooses to join. As a basic rule of thumb, the less involved DLS is with a game, the less restrictions a member may face when joining a clan based on that game. For instance, joining another Star Wars clan of any kind would cause greater restrictions than joining a Call of Duty clan. However, all members are encouraged to play games within the DLS community.

4. Gaming help
Although members are expected to know the basics, we do offer an Academy for all members.
1. Sith Academy
The Sith Academy is a program designed to have members train members. One moderator will reside over the Academy, but has no actual power.

5. Noobs
The Dark Lords of the Sith prides itself on holding high standards for its members. If you are suspected of being a noob, you will be sent to a mandatory 7 days in the Sith Academy. If you improve at least 10%, you will be promoted back to a full member. Members that have previously despised the Academy have left and hopefully won't return.

Article II - Forum Usage
1. Forum Privileges
On this forum, we have set up Member Groups based on their rank in the clan.

A. Global Moderator
Members are promoted to a Global Moderator when High Leaders think they deserve the promotion.
B. Forum Moderator
Forum Moderator privileges are given to people that need or have requested to be one. These privileges CAN be denied by an Administrator.
C. Member
Members have standard privileges (Can Reply, Post Topics, Post Polls, and Vote in Polls.)
D. Validating Accounts
A Validating Account is kept for 30 days. After that, if no Application has been posted to join DLS, the Account will be AUTOMATICALLY DELETED.

2. Basic Rules
Our forum is required because you must post an application to become a member.
A. File/Image Uploading
One forum is dedicated to uploading Files and Images, but ONLY for Clan Use.
B. Language
We have a mild censor list set for those that do not wish to view the profane language of some members. Spelling and Grammar is recommended to be average to perfect because our moderators do not like to correct people in every post.

3. Punishments
If you disobey the forum rules, you will be reported to a High Command or High Council member. The actions taken from that are: Warning, Privilege Revoke, 2 Day Suspension, Official Trial, in that order.

Article III - Governmental Systems and Policies
1. High Commanders
A. Sith Executor: The Executor is the highest ranking member one may receive. Appointed by the Sith Historian, this person leads the clan with all word as law in any and all facets.
B. Sith Historian: The Sith Historian is a figurehead position reserved for DLS_DarthNitro, long time leader of the Empire. This man has as much power as he gives himself, as he is one of the oldest living members.

2. High Council
Senior representatives appointed by the Sith Executor and

4. Divisional Executives
The Divisional COs and XOs (Commanding Officers) are the leaders of there respective divisions and are expected to keep their divisions in order.

5. Divisional Members
The members of their respective divisions. They will follow orders and directives set forth by their divisional executives and any higher-ranking members in the clan.

6. Governmental Departments
1. Ministry of Security
This team of highly skilled members help to eliminate certain threats to DLS and it's gaming community. It is entrusted with the security and defense of the clan.
2. Ministry of Diplomacy
This Ministry is composed of willing ambassadors and a leader that handles our diplomatic relationships.
3. Ministry of Justice
This department handles all Hearing and Judicial claims as well as takes care of ratifying laws proposed by the Emperor and Executor.
4. Graphics Department
A. General Graphics: One moderator is assigned to check designs and to help with making them, although this Moderator has no real power.
B. Clan Identification: One or two member group that have the authorization of the High Commander to make official Identification Cards.

7. Justice System
1. Court Formation
A. Upon request to the Department of Administration, a convening Inquisition shall be formed by the Department of Administration.
B. In order to be eligible to serve on an Inquisitorial Court, Inquisitors must meet the following conditions.
i. They may not be connected in any way to the events of the trial.
ii. If they have a full-time or part-time detail in a criminal enforcement branch of the Empire, they may not have been involved in the investigation of the criminal act at trial.
C. Inquisitors are expected to give the Grand Inquisitor and the Department of Administration notice that they are ineligible to serve on an Inquisitorial Court or unable to serve on an Inquisitorial Court due to other commitments. If an Inquisition member willfully sits on a court which they are ineligible to sit on, he or she may be subject to punishments including expulsion from the Inquisition and criminal charges.

2. Discovery
A. After an Inquisitorial Court is convened, the discovery phase will begin.
B. During the discovery phase, the Prosecutor charging the case and the Defense Counsel (or defendant) will publish all evidence and testimony they plan to present during the trial phase. This information will include, but is not limited to:
i. All logs and other exhibits to be used in trial.
ii. A list of witnesses to be called by each side.
iii. Briefs on what sections of the Codex or precedent rulings govern the trial.
C. The goal of Inquisitorial Court members is not to �win� their cases; it is to ensure that Imperial law is applied correctly to the matter at hand.
D. Also, during discovery, Counselors will present all pre-trial motions. Such motions may include scheduling matters of the trial or challenging a court member�s eligibility to serve.

3. Trial
Upon the conclusion of discovery, the trial phase of the proceeding will commence. Trial phases will be conducted on dedicated forums. The trial phase will consist of opening arguments, the presentation of evidence and the examination/cross examination of witnesses, and closing arguments. The Grand Inquisitor will enact parliamentary rules to ensure the efficient and orderly process of the trial phase.

4. Deliberation Session
A. When all evidence and arguments have been presented, the Justices *or Justice* will deliberate the matter and decide the guilt or innocence of the defendant(s).
B. The Court will issue its decision in a formal document stating the outcome of the trial and the interpretation of the Codex and precedent that led to the decision. In the event of a split decision, the dissenting Justice will write a Dissenting Opinion stating their interpretation of the Codex and precedent. When the Grand Inquisitor is in the dissent, the senior-most Justice in the majority will write the Majority Opinion.
C. The Justices will also issue a sentence based on the sentencing guidelines for the offense as listed in the Codex.

5. Appeal of Sentence
A. After the issuance of a guilty verdict, the decision of the court will automatically be appealed to the Throne or his proxy. At the Throne�s discretion, the decision may be overturned, the charge may be lessened, or the sentence may be changed.
B. If the Throne chooses not to consider the appeal, the matter is forwarded to the appropriate agency for execution of sentence.