If there are no limits on what we allow each other to do as a community, how many others will be hurt? How many of those here hold themselves back merely because they're used to having to face the consequences of their actions, and for how long will peace persist if violence against one another remains the only significant consequence? Just last month, we saw an example of our community's lack of self-discipline. If we allow things to continue as they are, in time we'll find ourselves living in a bloodbath, whether due to criminals and vigilantes perpetuating ever-growing cycles of vengeance or other, more warlike kidnappees fighting over the opportunity to fill our increasingly apparent power vacuum! [Edgeworth smacks the pool table reflexively; good thing this one's made of sterner stuff than most, right?] Whether people enjoy lines being drawn or not, a few must be for their own sakes.
While the inefficiency in cases such as Ryuunosuke's are regrettable, how do you propose that it could be avoided? By the time the native trial ended, those present believed that I had prosecuted him for all but one of the murders that occurred instead of roughly half of them -- the fact that any of us had been murdered at all was entirely forgotten! [Another BANG.] I cannot prosecute crimes against us under these conditions, Mr. Kukai! Consider as well the case of Onimaru Miki -- her entire motive for her actions was rooted in things that we alone can perceive and retain knowledge of. Had I not convinced her to plead guilty, her life would have been ruined by a ruling of insanity!
Concerning punishment, admittedly I'm at a loss for what we could sentence the likes of Miss Onimaru to under the circumstances; however, I've had a flash of inspiration concerning a punishment for Ryuunosuke and others like him, which Mr. Ridgeley and Mr. Kihara are both interested in helping to make a reality.
As for your assertion that a law of our own would give the impression that we're above native law, what about this situation does not? The very existence of our Personas and our inevitable return from death could easily lead one to consider themselves something superior to the natives. These same factors also serve as reasons why depraved sorts would have no fear of native law. Furthermore, some laws that make sense in an ordinary society are ill-suited to our own situation; for example, dueling is illegal, yet try to imagine all the consequences were anyone to attempt to enforce such a ban rather than simply require proof of mutual consent.
no subject
While the inefficiency in cases such as Ryuunosuke's are regrettable, how do you propose that it could be avoided? By the time the native trial ended, those present believed that I had prosecuted him for all but one of the murders that occurred instead of roughly half of them -- the fact that any of us had been murdered at all was entirely forgotten! [Another BANG.] I cannot prosecute crimes against us under these conditions, Mr. Kukai! Consider as well the case of Onimaru Miki -- her entire motive for her actions was rooted in things that we alone can perceive and retain knowledge of. Had I not convinced her to plead guilty, her life would have been ruined by a ruling of insanity!
Concerning punishment, admittedly I'm at a loss for what we could sentence the likes of Miss Onimaru to under the circumstances; however, I've had a flash of inspiration concerning a punishment for Ryuunosuke and others like him, which Mr. Ridgeley and Mr. Kihara are both interested in helping to make a reality.
As for your assertion that a law of our own would give the impression that we're above native law, what about this situation does not? The very existence of our Personas and our inevitable return from death could easily lead one to consider themselves something superior to the natives. These same factors also serve as reasons why depraved sorts would have no fear of native law. Furthermore, some laws that make sense in an ordinary society are ill-suited to our own situation; for example, dueling is illegal, yet try to imagine all the consequences were anyone to attempt to enforce such a ban rather than simply require proof of mutual consent.
[Is Edgeworth standing a little straighter?]