Law and order in the World of Avatar

Society in the world of Avatar is both managed and constrained by a strict law-enforcing judicial system. Although most nations have their own unique system of law enforcement, their purpose is identical and equally important - to preserve social order and peace. A prevalent problem in many societies is the lack of a fair judicial system, an adversity that stems from weak, controlling, or corrupted governments. However, these issues have lessened in recent times, primarily due to the work of a very reform-minded Avatar, Aang.

Air Nomads
A notable characteristic of their unique culture and society, Air Nomad civilization is the only nation not known to have a judicial system. A culture that appreciates and abets pacifism and equality, there has hardly ever been a need for strict law enforcement. No known cases of crime or disconduct have been reported in Air Nomad civilization, exemplifying the effectiveness of their philosophy and teachings. This has made their country the most peaceful and utopian in the world of Avatar.

Water Tribe
The Water Tribe is divided into thirds, with each portion completely independent of the others. Therefore, they have differing judicial systems.

Northern Water Tribe
The head chief of the Northern Water Tribe is in charge of the entire judicial system, including crime-fighting, law interpretation, and court trial. The chief has complete flexibilty over the entire system, being able to bend the law to his or her preference and control trials. The council sometimes intervenes, generally to advise or assist the chief in his or her actions.

The only known laws in the Northern Water Tribe are those that pertain to the rights of women. Women that live here are considered subordinate to men. The law has put major restrictions on their rights, such as not allowing them to waterbend and choose their own spouse. Most women align themselves to these rules, so the consequences for defying them are not well understood. When Aang was caught teaching Katara waterbending, his master, Pakku, suspended his lessons. In another incident, Katara was attacked by the same person for using waterbending on him. Neither event resulted in a trial or arrest.

Foggy Swamp Tribe
An anarchial society, the Foggy Swamp Tribe has no known judicial system.

Southern Water Tribe
Following the attacks of the Southern Raiders, the political system of the Southern Water Tribe quickly became disorganized. No formal judicial system was created after this in the near future. By the time of Avatar Aang's arrival at Sokka's village in 99 ASC, all men had left to support the Earth Kingdom in the Hundred Year War. Sokka, who was still a teenager, now led the villagers. He managed the village and everybody reported to him, meaning he was the one who judged the village's rules and determined the consequences for breaking them. Sokka also had the ability to banish anybody who was under his authority from the village. The only person known to have been banished was Aang. According to Sokka, he was acting unruly.

Earth Kingdom
The Earth Kingdom lacks unity and a central government, so only local laws are followed, while national laws are typically ignored. The judicial system varies from one region to another, and is typically jurisdicted by local overlords or chieftains.

Chin Village
Known for it's unconventional judicial system and barbaric system of execution, Chin Village has been identified by many as one of the strangest places in the entire Earth Kingdom. The sole government leader of the village, the mayor has complete control over the entire judicial system. He or she is allowed to bend the laws to his or her preference and deliver all case verdicts.

Imprisionment is used in the village, although only while waiting for a trial to begin. If a criminal is found guilty, execution is almost always used. However, prisoners are not allowed to defend themselves, and cannot use defense lawyers or evidence in their trial. Execution in Chin Village is done with a Wheel of Punishment. At the end of a trial, the wheel is spun to determine what type of punishment the criminal will recieve. Different portions of the wheel have different types of punishment depicted on them, most of which is harsh and deadly. The punishment ranges from being boiled alive to community service.

The only known laws in Chin Village are that you can only pay with Earth Kingdom currency and you cannot murder others. These rules are often not followed, however, and are sometimes not even applied. For example, when Team Avatar first paid money in Water Tribe currency, they were not panned, but were detained the second time they did so. Also, it is considered a crime if you enter the village and one of your ancestors commited a murder (even if you are only spiritually connected with that ancestor). For example, Avatar Aang was condemned upon arrival at Chin Village because a past Avatar, Kyoshi, had killed one of the village's former leaders.