Trial and Justice System

Overview

The Trial and Justice System was introduced in Update v0.5.0 (December 23, 2025) and gives inZOI a criminal underworld alongside a functioning legal system. Zois can now commit crimes (ranging from petty theft to elaborate investment fraud) and face real consequences if caught, including fines, arrest, trial, and imprisonment. KRAFTON has noted that crime-related features are in early stages of development and will be updated with additional content in future releases.

Only Young Adult and older Zois can engage in criminal activity. The system ties into the Karma system, the careers framework, and multiple skills.

How crime begins

A Zoi does not start the game as a criminal. The first crime interaction (Crime Skill Level 0) is unlocked when a Zoi encounters one or more of the following conditions:

• Economic hardship the Zoi owns 2,000 Meow or less, or is struggling due to excessive debt

• Social isolation emotional strain from lack of social support, strained or broken relationships

• Personality predisposition Zois with the Rulebreaker trait or Malicious characteristic are predisposed to criminal behavior

Once these conditions are met, new interaction options appear. Players can also seek out crime proactively through the Suspicious Job Agency. Crimes progressively unlock based on the Zoi's Crime Skill level, and improving various skills increases the success rate of criminal actions.

The Suspicious Job Agency

The Suspicious Job Agency is a shady organization that serves as the entry point for most criminal activity. Zois can visit the Agency's Bulletin Board to purchase crime information, intelligence about potential targets, security weaknesses, and profitable opportunities. The Agency also offers shady job postings that function as gig-style criminal missions, paying out Meow upon completion.

Using the Agency is not itself a crime, but the jobs it provides invariably involve illegal activity. It functions as a black-market job board connecting aspiring criminals with opportunities.

Crime types

There are two criminal paths in inZOI, each with its own set of interactions, skills, and progression:

Thief

Thieves specialize in breaking into properties and stealing items. Their success rates are influenced by the Handiwork, Programming, and Fitness skills. Some properties may have traps such as surveillance cameras and alarms installed, adding risk to theft attempts. The thief path progresses through six Crime Skill levels (0 through 5), with each level unlocking more sophisticated interactions:

• Level 0 basic theft: stealing from the homeless and snatching bags

• Level 1 coin skimming from parking meters

• Level 2 POS machine robbery, safe snatching, lock picking doors

• Level 3 ATM hacking (requires at least Level 1 Programming)

• Level 4 safe cracking for higher-value contents

• Level 5 CCTV disabling, enabling undetected theft from high-security locations

Thief interactions

The core thief interactions added in v0.5.0 include:

• Pick Door Lock silently open a locked door using lockpicking tools

• Break Down Door force a door open (faster but louder, higher chance of witnesses)

• Open Safe crack a safe to steal valuables inside

• Sabotage Surveillance Camera disable security cameras to avoid detection

Scammer

Scammers use social manipulation and deception to steal money from other Zois. Their success rates depend on the Rhetoric and Critical Thinking skills. Like thieves, scammers progress through six Crime Skill levels:

• Level 0 gaming item fraud, tricking Zois into trading valuable virtual items for worthless ones

• Level 1 second-hand trade scams, manipulating deals to shortchange other Zois

• Level 2 impersonating charity workers to solicit fake donations

• Level 3 holding bogus seminars and charging attendance fees for worthless content

• Level 4 false investment procurement, running investment fraud schemes targeting multiple victims

• Level 5 voice phishing (vishing), the most sophisticated scam requiring high Rhetoric skill

Scammer interactions

The core scammer interactions added in v0.5.0 include:

• Attempt Voice Phishing call a target Zoi and try to trick them into sending money

• Scam In-Game Items manipulate a trade to steal valuable items

• Impersonate Charity Worker pose as a charity representative to collect fake donations

• Hold Fake Seminar organize and charge for a fraudulent educational event

Players can also be victims of scams perpetrated by NPC Zois. When a Zoi agrees to a fraudulent investment, for instance, they lose money and often go directly into debt. Approximately two hours later, the scammer reaches out to gloat, rubbing in the financial loss.

Crime score

Every criminal action increases the Zoi's crime score, a value that determines how the justice system responds if the Zoi is caught. Higher-level crimes add more to the score than petty theft. The crime score is separate from the Karma system, though criminal activity also lowers a Zoi's Karma. Committing crimes also unlocks the new Crime skill that was added alongside the system in v0.5.0.

If a Zoi is witnessed committing a crime, the witness may report it to the police. Zois with a low crime score will receive a fine if arrested. Zois whose crime score exceeds the threshold face immediate arrest by police.

Wanted status and escape

Thieves who successfully flee the scene of a crime are not immediately safe. The game places a wanted notice on the Zoi that lasts for one in-game day. During this period, any encounter with a police officer results in immediate arrest. Avoiding the police for the full day clears the wanted status.

The wanted system means that even a successful crime carries risk. The Zoi must lay low and avoid police-patrolled areas until the heat dies down.

Arrest

When a Zoi is arrested, they are taken into police custody. Arrest can happen in several ways:

• Caught in the act a witness reports the crime and police arrive on scene

• Wanted encounter a wanted Zoi crosses paths with a police officer during the one-day notice period

• Harassing police fighting Zois in public draws police attention, and attacking an officer results in immediate arrest

• Extortion attempt using the Extort action on a police officer (available only for Zois with bad Karma) results in immediate arrest

Once arrested, the Zoi is transported to jail and held in custody. A trial date is scheduled. The Zoi can post bail to be released temporarily while awaiting trial, giving them time to prepare their defense. Zois who cannot or choose not to post bail remain in detention until the trial begins.

Jail

Jail in inZOI is a confined space where Zois are held after arrest. In earlier versions of Early Access, jail was a "rabbit hole" location (the Zoi disappeared into the building and emerged later). It has since been updated to a fully playable location where the player can control the Zoi during incarceration. An arrested Zoi has access to:

• A bed for sleeping

• A sink and mirror for basic hygiene

• A toilet

• A vending machine for food

Standard jail time is 24 in-game hours. The Zoi is automatically released at 9:00 AM the following day if their jail time has elapsed. Alternatively, the player can manually trigger the "Get Out of Jail" option any time after 4:00 AM. While in jail, the Zoi cannot go to work, attend events, or interact with anyone outside the facility.

Jailbreak

Jail breakout is possible in inZOI. Players can attempt to escape by finding a vulnerable spot on the jail cell wall (typically between furniture such as the table and bed, or the bed and sink) and repeatedly scratching the crack. This process demands multiple scratches, considerable time, and great patience, but it can eventually create an escape route. The jailbreak mechanic adds a risk-reward element to the incarceration experience.

Trial process

The trial is the centerpiece of the justice system. When a Zoi is arrested and their crime score exceeds the threshold, the following steps unfold:

Appointing a lawyer

Before the trial, the Zoi can choose between two types of legal representation:

• Free legal representative a court-appointed lawyer with limited ability; they provide basic defense but the chances of acquittal are lower

• Elite lawyer a private attorney who costs Meow to hire but significantly improves the odds of getting a reduced sentence or acquittal

The choice of lawyer is one of the biggest factors in the trial outcome. Players who want to beat the charges should invest in an elite lawyer.

Trial preparation

After appointing a lawyer, a trial preparation mission is assigned. During this mission, the player chooses various opportunity cards while answering questions. Performing well during preparation directly influences which opportunity cards become available during the actual trial. Better preparation means more favorable options and higher odds of success.

The trial itself

Trials proceed mostly automatically, but the player is presented with opportunity cards at key moments. Each card offers a choice, and selecting the correct answer can reduce the sentence or lead to acquittal. The cards available depend on how well the preparation mission went and the quality of the lawyer.

Guilty verdicts are the typical outcome. Not-guilty verdicts are deliberately difficult to secure and require thorough preparation, an elite lawyer, and good choices during the opportunity cards. KRAFTON designed the system so that crime has meaningful consequences. Beating the charges should feel like a genuine achievement. Failed attempts at defense may result in harsher sentences.

Verdicts and punishments

The trial can result in one of three outcomes:

1. Acquittal the Zoi is found not guilty and released. This is rare and requires significant preparation and favorable opportunity card choices.

2. Fine the Zoi is found guilty but receives a monetary penalty rather than jail time. Common for lower crime scores and first offenses.

3. Police custody the Zoi is sentenced to incarceration. The duration depends on the severity of the crimes.

Career connections

The justice system connects to career paths in the game:

• Lawyer a full career path available in both Dowon (Justitia Law Firm) and Bliss Bay (Themis & Jones Law Firm). It is an offsite, full-time rabbit hole job where Zois automatically commute. The career progresses through Junior Lawyer, Senior Lawyer, and Partner Lawyer tiers. Young Adult, Adult, and Middle-Aged Zois are eligible.

• Criminal path while not a formal career, pursuing crime through the Suspicious Job Agency functions as an alternative income source. Successful criminals can earn significant Meow through high-level theft and scams.

New locations and skills

Update v0.5.0 introduced several new locations and skills tied to the justice system:

• Courtroom a new location where trials take place

• Crime skill a new skill that tracks criminal progression and unlocks higher-level crime interactions

Current limitations

As of the current Early Access build, the trial system has known limitations:

• Traffic accident cases do not currently proceed to trial: the Zoi is sent directly to jail instead

• The range of opportunity cards during trials is still being expanded

• Jail facilities are limited to basic amenities (bed, sink, toilet, vending machine)

Planned improvements

KRAFTON's 2026 roadmap includes significant expansions to the justice system:

• Police career a new career path with patrol cars and real-time criminal searches

• Bail calculation bail amounts will be calculated based on crime type and sentence length

• Detailed arrest process including on-site arrest and police station procedures

• Expanded prison facilities a yard, library, workshop for laundry and sewing, lounge, cafeteria, shower area, and visitation room are planned

• Additional crime types the system will continue to grow with new criminal activities and deeper consequences

KRAFTON has indicated that the justice system will continue to be refined throughout Early Access, with improvements to relationships consequences and household dynamics when a family member is incarcerated.