The Warning System

Herein is a detailed guide that describes, defines, and discusses the warning system we use on Standing Trials. All warnings are given out in response to breaches of the ToU. Therefore we would strongly urge all players to be fully aware of the ToU and keep them in mind at all time.

The Warning System

The warning system used on Standing Trials is a stepped one, with increasing consequences if another warning is given within a particular time frame.

• Official Warning 1 - 3 month shelf life
• Official Warning 2 - 6 month shelf life
• Official Warning 3 - 9 month shelf life
• Official Warning 4 - site ban 1 - 9 month wait for appeal

The first site ban is able to be appealed in nine months time. If this stage is reached again there is no appeal allowed.

The individual remains on their current warning level for the specified “shelf life” time. If another breach of the ToU occurs during the ‘shelf life’ of the warning, the player will be put onto the next level of warning and the shelf life for that warning will start from that date.

Additionally chat bans are given out whenever the violation takes place (in whole or part) in either the official discord server or any other discord server pertaining to Standing Trials in which there is mod presence. Chat ban, in accordance to the warnings:

• Warning 1 - 2 week exclusion from chat
• Warning 2 - 3 week exclusion from chat
• Warning 3 - 4 week exclusion from chat

If you are given a warning, you will be sent a PM by a member of the Advocate team. You should note that this will be permanently recorded in your Player Notes, a thread visible by all staff. Even when the duration of the warning has expired, the Player Notes remain.

Extreme Circumstances

Any illegal activity, with proof of said activity,or extreme behaviour which is beyond the realm of a usual breach - will constitute a vote of all current Team Leads and the entire Advocate Team. This might include something like extreme harassment or a racist attack, etc. This is actioned only when there is an 80% or higher vote for extreme circumstances to be used; when it is, it is an immediate, and permanent ban. Any illegal activity that falls under this purview is to have a 24 hour time limit on the vote. After 24 hours, a majority will be determined based on the number of votes recieved, and not by the total amount of Team Leads + Advocates.

Who Does This Apply To?

Simply put, this applies to everyone, be they staff or player. However, it is important to note that the warning is given to the person, not an individual account. If you have five PCs and a Mod account, you don’t get to be on Warning 2 on one, Warning 1 on another etc. The Warning Level is specific to the player, no matter what their role on Standing Trials.

Definitions

Shelf life

Shelf life is the length of time the warning remains in effect. It begins on the date the warning was given, and expires at a specified time. refers to a given length of time, based on the particular warning. At the end of the given term (the amount of time required for the warning), so long as there hasn’t been subsequent warnings given, the warnings are cleared and the individual is treated as if they have had no warnings.

ToU

This refers to the Terms of Use that are established for the site of Standing Trials. The ToU applies to Standing Trials itself, as well as all sub parts of Standing Trials, such as but not limited to, the main Discord Server, and any City based Discord Server.

Ban

A ban refers to the removal of access to a given item. Chat bans refer to the removal of access to the Main Discord Server and any subsequent Discord Servers in which Advocates are present, such as but not limited to, City Discord Servers. Whereas a site ban is exclusion from the site itself.

Grandfathering

This term is used to describe the process in which old warnings from the previous system are brought forward and in line with the new system.

Level

This term is used to describe what number or ‘level’ of warning the individual is on.

Grandfathering

If the individual has any warnings at the time of implementation of this system, they are treated as if they are at the same level in the new system. Meaning that if an individual only has one Official Warning, then they are treated as if they are on Warning 1. Shelf life begins from the date the warning was given. This is retroactive.

For individuals who have returned from an appealed ban they are to be placed on Warning 2. Shelf life begins at the date of the individuals return.

Individuals who are currently banned at the time of implementation and have not had an appeal, are required to wait 9 months from the date of implementation of this system before they are allowed to appeal their ban.

Appeals

Individuals are allowed to appeal their ban after 9 months, in which time no further ToU violations may occur. In order to apply for an appeal the individual may contact any member of staff, explaining why they wish to appeal their ban and anything they’d like us to know in regards to their previous behavior, who will then bring the appeal forward to the rest of the staff who will then vote. Please note: any attempt to circumvent bans and premature returns to the site will be met with immediate re-ban and will move the player to the point of no appeals.