Imperial Constitution of the Empire of Britanania
The Imperial Constitution of the Empire of Britanania is the law of Britanania. Written in 2020 and ratified the same year, it is a marvelous piece of legislation.
Contents |
Background
As the United States crumbled and various Warlords took control, there was no law that governed the land.
When Tony Kleem began taking control, he also began formatting a government to rule later.
When it became apparent that Kleem would become the master of America, he called for an assembly of leaders, appointed by the people, in Washington, D.C.
The leaders drafted and wrote several versions, but the approved version was largely written by Charles Hamilton, Marshal Heidar and Kleem himself.
On 21st of August, 2020, the Imperial Constitution was ratified and put into effect.
Preamble
We, the Leaders and People of Britanania, in order to form a perfect Empire, establish justice, insure domestic tranquillity, provide defense, promote welfare, and secure the blessings granted to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Imperial Constitution of the Empire of Britanania.
Article I
Section I
All legislative power is herein granted shall be vested in a Parliment of the Empire of Britanania, which will consist of a House of Lords and a Council of Viceroys.
Section II
The House of Lords shall be composed of Lords, 250 hereditary, 150 reigious, and 300 choosen every four years by the people in general assembly.
No person shall be an elected member of the House who is not yet twenty-five years, and has been ten years a citizen of the Empire. When vaccancies occur in the House of elected Lords, the Emperor shall issue writs of election to fil those offices. The House of Lords shall choose their own Speaker and other officers.
Section III
The Council of Viceroys is to be mad up of the Viceroys of the Empire, appointed by the Emperor. The Vizier of the Empire shall be President of the Council, and shall have but one vote, and can break any tie of any vote.
Section IV
The times, place and manner of holding elections for Senators shall be prescribed in each District by the legislature thereof; but Parliment may at any time by law make or alter such regulations, except as to the places of choosing Senators. Parliment shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meetings shall be on the first Monday of August, unless they shall by law appoint another day.
Section V
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Parliment, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
Section VI
The Lords shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the Empire of Britanania. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
Section VII
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Lords and the Council of Viceroys, shall, before it become a law, be presented to the The Emperor of Britanania: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless Parliment by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Lords may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the Emperor of Britanania; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Council of Viceroys and House of Lords, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
Section VIII
Parliment shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the Empire; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the Empire;
To borrow Money on the credit of the Empire;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several Districts and Areas;
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the Empire;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the Empire;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the Imperial Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Empire, suppress Insurrections and repeal Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the Empire, reserving to the Areas and Districts respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Parliment;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding 100 Miles square) as may, by Cession of Particular Areas and Districts, and the Acceptance of Parliment, become the Seat of the Government of the Empire of Britanania, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards and other needful Buildings;—And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the The Empire of Britanania, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
Section IX
The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the Areas or Districts now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by Parliment prior to the Year two thousand twenty, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases or Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census of Enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any Area or District.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one Area or District, be obliged to enter, clear or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
Section X
No Area or District shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts.
No Area or District shall, without the Consent of Parliment, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the Empire; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of Parliment.
No Area or District shall, without the Consent of Parliment, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another Area or District, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
Article II
Section I
The executive Power shall be vested in an Emperor, born from the Imperial Family of Britanania. He shall be Emperor from his ascension until his death or abdication.
No Person except a member of the Imperial Family or named succesor to the throne shall become Emperor. In Case of the Death, abdication, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the Throne, the Same shall devolve on the heir.
The Emperor shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be encreased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the Empire, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Throne, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I swear to maintain the integrity of the territory of the Empire, to respect and enforce respect for the Concordat and freedom of religion, equality of rights, political and civil liberty, the irrevocability of the sale of national lands; not to raise any tax except in virtue of the law; to maintain the institution of Legion of Honor and to govern in the sole interest, happiness and glory of the Britananian and French people"
Section II
The Emperor shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the Empire, and of the Militia of the several Areas and Districts, when called into the actual Service of the Empire; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the Empire, and to name any person a Noble.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice of the Imperial Court, to make Treaties; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Imperial Court, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the Empire, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Parliment may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the Emperor alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The Emperor shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Council of Viceroys, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
Section III
He shall from time to time give to Parliment Information on the State of the Empire, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the Empire.
Article III
Section I
The judicial Power of the Empire, shall be vested in the SupremeCourt, and in such inferior Courts as Parliment may from time to time ordain and establish. The Couriers, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
Section II
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the Empire, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the Empire shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more Areas or Districts;—between a District or Area and Citizens of another Area or District;—between Citizens of different Areas and Districts;—between Citizens of the same Area or District claiming Lands under Grants of different Areas and Districts, and between a Areas and Districts, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign Areas and Districts, Citizens or Subjects.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which an Area or District shall be Party, the Imperial Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the Imperial Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as Parliment shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the Area or District where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as Parliment may by Law have directed.
Section III
Treason against the Empire, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort.
Parliment, and the Emperor shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article IV
Section I
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each Area to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other Area. And Parliment may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
Section II
A Person charged in any Area with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another Area, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the Area from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the Area having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No Person held to Service or Labour in one Area, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due.
Section III
New Area may be admitted by the the Emperor; nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the Empire, or of any particular Area.
Section IV
The Empire shall guarantee to every Area in this Empire a form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article V
Parliment, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several Areas, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several Area, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by Parliment; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year Two thousand twenty shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no Area, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Council of Viceroys.
Article VI
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the Empire under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the Empire which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the Empire, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every Area shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Lords before mentioned, and the Members of the several Area Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the Empire and of the several Areas, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the Empire.
Amendments
I. Parliment shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
II. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free Area, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
III. No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
V. No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
VI. In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the Area and District wherein the crime shall have been committed, which District shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
VII. In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the Empire, than according to the rules of the common law.
VIII. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed.
IX. The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
X. The powers not delegated to the Empire by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the Areas, are reserved to the Areas respectively, or to the people.
XI. Anyone determined a Pure Blood is born a citizen. Anyone born to citizens is a citizen. Anyone from nations taken by the Empire can pettition their Viceroy to become a citizen. Anyone who resides in the Empire and is not a citizen, or an Ambassador, or who has a visa, is a non-citizen. Non-citizens who were citizens of any nation taken by the Empire are refered to as Numbers, which is corresponding to the Area's number that they reside.
XII. Non-citizens are not entailed to the same rights as citizens, save for the First, Third, and Sixth Amendments.
XIII. Slavery shall not exist in the Empire. The Emperor has the power to enforce this.
XIV. The right for a citizen to vote shall not be denied by the Empire, by any Area, on account of race, sex, creed, colour or previous condition of servitude.
XV. Parliment has the right to collect taxes on income.
XVI. In the event that the Emperor can not rule, but before his legal heir takes the throne for whatever reason, the the Vizier will be acting Emperor. If the Vizier, for what ever reason can not rule as Emperor if the Emperor can not rule, then the Chief of Staff shall. The Emperor can establish who takes command if he, the Vizer or Chief of Staff are incapable of ruling.
XVII. If there is ever a vaccancy in the office of the Vizier, the Emperor can appoint one.
XVIII. An Area shall progress through several stages of development. Stage I entails all citizens every right guaranteed to them by the Constitution and the right to form their own legislature. Stage II entails all the rights as Stage I, but the Emperor has the same power as with Parliment. Stage III has citizens given all their rights, but haebeus corpus is suspended and the Emperor has full control over the legislature. Areas progress or revert based on a bi-yearly assesment based on the frequency of strikes, riots and overall content of their Area's ability. In the event of an extreme catastrophe, an Area can revert immediately to Stage III.
XIX. The Emperor's Titles that are passed down to his successor are The Emperor of Britanania, king of kings, Emperor of the French, King of Italy and Mediator of the Swiss Republic. However, the Emperor can give any of the Titles, save The Emperor of Britanania and Emperor of the French, to any other individual mentioned in his will.
XX. The Emperor is given these indicisible rights;
1) The Citizens cannot (legaly) change the government
2) The Emperor cannot breach the oath, as the people give him this right, thus the citizens cannot protest against the Emperor.
3) The citizens must support his actions.
4)The Emperor cannot be accused of injustice.
5) The Emperor cannot be executed.
6) The Emperor will have a seat in both the Senate and the House of Lords.
7) The Emperor has the power to judge any case.
8) The Emperor has the power to appoint ministers, magistrates, et cetra.
9) The Emperor has the power to make war if it benefits the State.
10) The Emperor has the power to punish crimes and to reward citizens.
11) The power to establish laws if passed by both Houses is granted.
XXI. The Emperor's full title is By the Grace of God and the Imperial Constitution, Emperor of Britanania, Emperor of the Romans and Emperor of the French, Duke of Baylor, King of Italy and Mediator of the Swiss Republic.
XXII. The Senate is hereby abolished, and is succeded by a Council of Viceroys who shall report directly to the Emperor. If a Viceroy cannot convene, then a Representative shall be sent with a Letter from the said Viceroy stating the Representative is the Viceroys's official Representative.
XXIII. Viceroys will have the title of Marshal of the Empire; Viceroys are thus the Supreme Commanders of the soldiers stationed in their Areas, but are still subject to the Emperor's command.
XXIV. All pubilc officials and all soldiers must swear an oath of loyalty to the Emperor.
