Rose-Hulman Inter-Fraternity Council

Judicial Procedures

 

Adopted October 7, 2002

 

A.  Roles assumed by IFC and involved Fraternities

1.  IFC

a.  The President of IFC shall assume the role of Judge

 

b.  The Vice-President of IFC shall assume the roles of Investigator and Prosecutor who may solicit assistance from officers not directly mentioned.

 

c.  The Secretary-Treasurer shall assume the roles of Bailiff and Court reporter.

 

2.  Fraternity Roles

a.  Each noninvolved fraternity will supply two (2) jurors, preferably  their IFC Representatives.

 

b.  The Chapter President and the IFC Representatives of the involved fraternity shall serve as the defense for the involved chapter.

 

3.  Inability Clauses

a.  If an IFC officer directly mentioned above is a member of the involved fraternity he must excuse himself and the next highest ranking officer underneath him will assume his role.

 

b.  If any party specified above or is called upon to perform a duty does not wish to perform that duty, he may recluse himself from the matter.

 

B.  Trial Format

1.  Opening Statements of Charge and plea

a.  The Prosecution formally announces the charge in a statement summarizing the case against the involved fraternity no longer than five (5) minutes long.

 

b.  The Defense formally announces plea to the charge presented in a statement no longer than five (5) minutes long.

 

2.  Witnesses

a.  A list of witnesses to be called by both the Defense and the Prosecution must be submitted after opening statements.

 

b.  The prosecution shall present their witnesses first, and then the defense shall present their witnesses. The involved members of the fraternity may reserve the right to refuse to testify.

 

c.  Witnesses can not be questioned for longer than 15 minutes by each side.

 

d.  In the case that one party wishes to recall a witness, the party must pursue permission of the Judge to do so.

 

e.  Each party is responsible for the arrival of their witnesses.

 

3.  Closing Statements

a.  The prosecution and then the defense shall present their closing statements after they both rest their respective cases.

 

b.  Statements shall be no longer than five (5) minutes in duration.

 

4.  Jury Deliberation

a.  After closing statements and any special instructions from the Judge, the Jury will be excused to another room for 30 minutes with out interruption to decide culpability.

 

b.  If more time is needed to make a decision, the Jury may motion for an extension which the Judge may deny.

 

c.  An unanimous decision of the jury is necessary to assign guilt.

 

5.  Sentence recommendation

a.  The prosecution shall enter a request for punishment upon the delivery of a guilty verdict.

 

b.  The defense shall have five (5) minutes to plead for leniency to the Jury, or agree to the sentence.

 

c.  The Jury will be dismissed and agree by three fourths majority on a sentence.

 

6.  Sentencing

a.  The Judge shall deliver sentence.

 

b.  The responsibilities to execute the sentence will be assigned by the Judge.

 

7.  Appeals

a.  Requests for an appeal shall be submitted to the IFC faculty advisor.

 

b.  The appeal shall be brought before a board consisting of one faculty advisor from each fraternity.

 

c.  The board shall need a two thirds majority to overturn a decision of a jury.

 

d.  Any resolutions must be a unanimous decision of the board.