The Criminal Code of the Free State of Settlers was established in 2625 shortly after the ratification of the First Constitution. Reflecting the values of individual freedom and personal responsibility, the code adhered to the philosophy of “not more rules than necessary, but a high price for violations.” It was designed to deter crime through visible, harsh, and often public punishments, ensuring that the cost of breaking the law outweighed any potential benefits.

This legal framework, complemented by the Civil Code, upheld the ideals of justice and equality stated in the First Constitution. However, the Criminal Code emphasized order through a blend of practical deterrence, public accountability, and strict enforcement.

The First Constitution provided the philosophical backbone for the Criminal Code, particularly its emphasis on equality before the law (§1) and the duty to preserve peace (§4). While the Constitution outlined broad principles, the Criminal Code dealt explicitly with offenses, defining them and prescribing corresponding punishments.

The guiding principle was two fold:

• Minimal Administration: Laws and punishments were straightforward, reflecting the settlers' disdain for bureaucracy.
• Maximum Deterrence: Punishments were severe and publicly visible, emphasizing communal accountability and the need for order in a fragile society.

• The Mark of Shame: For every criminal offense, violators received a Mark of Shame, tattooed under their left eye.Once the sentence was completed, the mark was crossed out but remained visible as a permanent reminder of the crime.

• Death Penalty: Murderers and perpetrators of extreme violence got hanged in the public.
• Public Humiliation for Theft and Fraud: Thieves and swindlers faced punishments akin to Earth’s historical tar and feathers. Known as the “Grease and Ember” Ritual, offenders were covered in sticky plant resin and sprinkled with luminous dust from local bioluminescent moss, ensuring their humiliation was visible for days.

• Penal Labor: Many criminals were sentenced to labor-intensive tasks, such as building the Trade Route from New Kourou to Firetown or constructing the Copper Mine near Firetown. Prisoners lived in mobile prison units managed by the Guarding Troopers, who ensured their work was completed under strict supervision.