The Manta Carlos Pardon System
Manta Carlos, having been founded as a refuge for the supernatural, is no stranger to those with checkered pasts. Whether they be vampires who have taken human lives or aliens fleeing prosecution, Manta Carlos has a strong policy of pardoning new citizens of past crimes, allowing them to start afresh.
New Arrivals from the Narrow Reality
Manta Carlos accepts that many supernatural beings in the narrow reality may feel they have no choice but to kill or commit other crimes. Vampires, as an example, may have had no choice but to assault humans to gain the blood they need to survive. As a result, all arrivals from the narrow reality are considered pardoned of their previous crimes, and are not prosecuted based on acts done. Generally speaking, this pardon is considered to have occurred the moment the arrival is told about Manta Carlos, whether through a scout or other official document. While the letter (and most scouts) generally do not explicitly bring up the pardon unless it is relevant, the pardon is explicitly mentioned in welcoming documents provided to all new arrivals.
The pardon is a one time event. Any illegal acts committed after the pardon are still illegal. If someone is told by a scout about the island and then goes to kill someone before moving to Manta Carlos, they can (and generally will) be prosecuted for that murder. Similarly, the pardon does not apply to citizens travelling off island. While 'taking things off island' can significantly reduce the chance of being prosecuted, citizens who travel off-island to commit crimes are still considered to be breaking Manta Carlos law.
New Arrivals from Non-Earth Locations
While the pardon was originally intended to protect refugees from the Narrow Reality, it has also been expanded to apply in many respects to those arriving from other dimensions or extraterrestrial locations. One question that gets asked as part of any registration as a citizen is if the new arrival is wanted elsewhere.
If the new arrival is and admits it, Manta Carlos will generally accept them, although often with conditions. Extenuating circumstances (war, brainwashing, culture, etc) are taken into account. Power limiters may be involved for those who are placed on probation during arrival. Manta Carlos's concern is primarily to ensure that it does not run afoul of intergalactic or pan-dimensional organizations for harboring war criminals.
Those who lie to Manta Carlos and claim innocence face a different number of issues. If someone claims innocence, and then has a peace keeping organization arrive to arrest them, a formal trial is held to determine the validity of the claim. Again, extenuating circumstances are taken into account, but one of the most significant factors to have come into play in such trial is the prospective punishments. A serial killer who fled to Manta Carlos to escape prosecution would likely be handed over to their home planet in order to spend time in prison. However, the same serial killer who would face the death penalty would likely instead be prosecuted under Manta Carlos's legal system, and not be extradited. Wherever possible, Manta Carlos will refuse to extradite criminals who would face the death penalty, torture, or other similar punishments.
Limitations on the Pardon System
The pardon is granted in good faith, on the assumption that the receiver of the pardon will cease any criminal activity. The Manta Carlos
Government has task forces available for disassembling anything up to a criminal empire if needed, and those arriving on the island are expected to disclose their past criminal deeds, and turn over any illegally gained property. Manta Carlos works closely with foreign governments in order to ensure that foreign task forces don't waste time searching for criminals who have accepted their pardon and accepted a new life.
Criminals found to have continued their activities on the island will have their pardon revoked, and are in danger of being charge with all their crimes, past and present.
While not officially stated, Manta Carlos simply doesn't have the resources to investigate all possible off-islands crime. Crimes which threaten the veil are of the highest possible priority, while crimes committed by criminals who obey the veil are generally only handled in situations where the crimes are particularly large or egregious.
A citizen of Manta Carlos who helps smuggle supernatural creatures and risks breaking the veil will almost certainly face trouble. A citizen of Manta Carlos who is engaged in entirely mundane money laundering off-island and doesn't involve the island in any way is unlikely to be gone after without a specific reason.
