Cardassian Courts

La Forge · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:11 pm Cardassian Courts**

Do you think that Cardassian Courts are fair/effective?

I recently viewed an episode from Deep Space Nine Season II called "Tribunal". In the episode, Chief O'Brien is framed by a Cardassian, who was surgically-altered to look like one of his old war buddies who died in a Cardassian prison. The Cardassian tricks O'Brien to think that the Cardassian is indeed his friend. Using O'Brien's voice, the Cardassian (Raymond Boone), makes his way into a weapons locker and steals about 100 photon warheads. Boone puts the stolen weapons onto O'Brien's runabout (O'Brien is about to go on vacation with his wife), using a modified transporter. Boone warns the other Cardassians, who he is working with, about the weapons and O'Brien is taken to Cardassia Prime to face trial. That is where the real trouble begins.

It appears that Cardassian Trials are rather...unfair. All verdicts are always known before hand...guilty. This gives for a huge margin of error. They execute all who are guilty. So, in other terms. If you are charged with a crime, you are guilty and you are dead. Plus, torture is acceptable. Your lawyer is only there to make a monkey out of you and make the Cardassian law system seem superior. Your "Conservator", Cardassian lawyer, only tries to make it seem like you are sorry for what you have done and the like. Your lawyer doesn't help. Your "Nestor", or advisor, just tries to help you come to terms with your punishment. They WANT your family to come to the trial and execution, just so the public can see them weep. All trials are public. No evidence can be shown, at risk of embarassing the Cardassian "Jurisprudence"...It is RIDICULOUS!

I find the Cardassian system of law wholly unjust and unfair and...huff, huff...I can't explain my...dislike of this law system.

What do you think? If you think that is fair...I...yikes...

Sonic74205 · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:28 pm**

Nah i definatly dont like the idea of it. I actually think in that episode the whole idea of the system was that its supposed to be bad. Its supposed to be wrong and hated by viewers.

La Forge · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:33 pm**

Boy, I sure do hate that system. It doesn't deal justice. It is like...ugh...I can't explain it with words...I used to like the Cardassians...but, now...I hate 'em.

"Those bloody Cardies can't be trusted."
~Miles O'Brien.

Founder · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:34 pm**

Guilty until proven innocent. Yeah, a bad system indeed. I think though that it helps keep the Cardassian people in line. They are less inclined to commit crimes out of fear of the court system.

La Forge · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:38 pm**

And it is hard to be proven innocent. The only reason O'Brien was left off the hook, is because Sisko arrived in time to blackmail the Cardassians, seeing as he had figured out their little plot...

Lord Borg · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:41 pm**

They knew he was innocent and didn't care. The whole thing with a trial is basicly a show. He was already found guilty, with a sentence applied. To "Please" citizens, a 'trial" (An unfair one I might add) was given. So, no, thier not fair, or intended to be.

La Forge · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:47 pm**

Not fair, yes...but...in Cardassia...I would suppose that trials such as that would be highly effective. No one would want to commit a crime, if they already knew the consequences. This reminds me of the TNG episode "Justice". Wesley didn't do anything that would be warrant death, but, the Edo sentence anyone who commits a crime with death...

Founder · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:53 pm**

I think the court system accurately reflected Cardassian society. They are brutal and hardly fair. They cared nothing for innocents as reflected in their treatement of the Bajorans.

Lord Borg · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:54 pm**

Yeah, I agree, it reflected on the Cardassian society. Poor O'brien....

I wonder if any changes will occure due to the Union falling and such

La Forge · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:55 pm**

I would hope and think so...that system of law just isn't right...

Founder · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:04 pm**

"Of course it'll survive, but not as the Cardassia I knew. We had a rich and ancient culture. Our literature, music, art were second to none. And now, so much of it is lost. So many of our best people, our most gifted minds."-Garak about post Dominion war Cardassia.

He seems to imply that Cardassia will forever be changed. So I don't think its too far fetched that the justice system gains a huge overhaul

Lord Borg · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:08 pm**

I think everything will now that the Bajorans and Federation, at least during the imideate reliefe efforts, will have rather large pressence/influence in the Cardassian system

La Forge · **Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:12 pm**

Would the Cardassians start believing in the Prophets?

Just joking. The Cardassians would never do such a thing...Yeah...I think that with people like Gul Dukat and other "evil" people gone, I believe that Cardassian law system would change considerably. Plus...I would think that the Cardassians wouldn't have it in them to continue to act in such a way, after the Dominion War...

Omet'Ikilan · **Wed May 03, 2006 12:43 pm**

Well...if it was O'Brian...a Human...that was in court...he may be treated unjust merely because he is human.

The Spoonheads may infact hava a great Criminal justice Court...or Founder could be right and its just a reflection of the Cardassians cold hard unfair nature....