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. It represents one of the most interconnected gameplay systems in inZOI, linking economics, social relationships, personality traits, and career progression into a single cohesive loop.

The crime and justice system received its first expansion in Update v0.7.0 (March 26, 2026), which added car theft as a new crime type and expanded the range of actions that qualify as criminal offenses.

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:

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.

It is worth noting that a Zoi can become a victim of crime without ever engaging in criminal behavior themselves. NPC Zois running scams may target player-controlled Zois, causing them to lose money and potentially go into debt. Approximately two hours after a successful scam, the scammer NPC reaches out to gloat about the financial loss.

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. These jobs scale in both risk and reward based on the Zoi's Crime Skill level. Higher-level jobs provide more lucrative payouts but carry a greater chance of detection and arrest.

Using the Agency is not itself a crime, but the jobs it provides invariably involve illegal activity. It is essentially a black-market job board connecting aspiring criminals with opportunities. The Agency's Bulletin Board also sells intelligence that can be used to plan heists and robberies, providing details about specific targets and their security measures.

Crime Types

There are two primary criminal paths in inZOI, each with its own set of interactions, skills, and progression. A third category of standalone criminal actions was added in v0.7.0.

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:

To progress effectively through the thief skill tree, players should invest in at least three supporting skills alongside the Crime Skill itself. Handiwork improves lock picking and safe cracking success rates, Programming is required for ATM hacking at Level 3 and above, and Fitness helps with physical theft actions like bag snatching and breaking down doors.

Thief Interactions

The core thief interactions added in v0.5.0 include:

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:

Scammer Interactions

The core scammer interactions added in v0.5.0 include:

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.

Car Theft (v0.7.0)

The v0.7.0 update (March 26, 2026) expanded the crime system with vehicle theft. Zois can now attempt to break into and steal any car in the city. However, the attempt can fail at random, triggering the car alarm and alerting nearby Zois and police. Successfully stealing a vehicle allows the Zoi to drive it around freely, but getting caught results in arrest.

To help identify potential targets, the developers added a map overlay showing red dots indicating the location of every vehicle in each city. Additionally, stealing crops from other Zois is now also classified as theft, broadening the range of actions that trigger the justice system.

Extortion

Zois with sufficiently bad Karma unlock the Extort interaction, which allows them to demand money from other Zois. Extortion carries heavy relationship penalties and can trigger immediate arrest if the target resists or witnesses report the crime. Attempting to extort a police officer results in immediate arrest regardless of the outcome.

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 builds the dedicated Crime skill that was added alongside the system in v0.5.0. The Crime skill is currently capped at Level 5, and the experience bar stops progressing once Level 5 is reached. Successfully performing higher-level crimes yields more Crime skill experience than lower-level ones.

If a Zoi is witnessed committing a crime, the witness may report it to the police. The responding officers may then issue an immediate fine or take the Zoi into custody, depending on the severity. Zois with a low crime score will typically receive a fine if arrested. Zois whose crime score exceeds the arrest threshold face immediate detention by police on sight.

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. Moving to a different city does not clear the wanted status; a bug report on the official forums confirmed that criminal records and wanted status persist across cities. Players should plan their escape route before committing a crime, especially for high-value targets in busy areas.

Arrest

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

Once arrested, the Zoi is transported to jail, changed into an orange jumpsuit, and held in custody. A trial date is scheduled automatically. 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.

Bail

Zois placed under arrest can post bail to secure temporary freedom before their trial. Posting bail gives the Zoi time to hire a lawyer, complete the trial preparation mission, and manage personal affairs before the court date.

Bail cost is calculated based on the type of crime committed and the expected sentence length. More serious crimes require higher bail amounts. The Zoi (or their household) must have sufficient Meow to cover the bail cost. If they cannot afford bail, the Zoi remains in a detention center until the trial begins, which limits their ability to prepare an effective defense.

Posting bail does not guarantee a favorable trial outcome. It simply provides the opportunity to prepare. A Zoi released on bail can go home, go to work, and interact with other Zois normally, but they must appear for their trial when the court date arrives. The 2026 roadmap includes plans to refine bail calculations further, tying amounts more precisely to crime type and sentence length.

Jail

Jail in inZOI is a fully playable location where the player can control the Zoi during incarceration. 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 so that players accompany their Zois and can direct their actions while locked up.

An arrested Zoi has access to the following amenities:

• A bed for sleeping

• A sink and mirror for basic hygiene

• A toilet

• A vending machine and water cooler for food and drink

• A phone for checking messages and playing mobile games

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.

Surprisingly, Zois retain access to their phone while incarcerated. They can check messages and play simple mobile games, which provides a small entertainment boost to help manage their mood during the stay. However, they cannot make calls to arrange bail or contact a lawyer through the phone; those actions are handled through the trial system interface.

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. Successfully escaping avoids the trial entirely, but there are important caveats: escaping prison does not clear the Zoi's crime score or Karma. The Zoi's criminal record persists, meaning they remain at high risk of re-arrest if police encounter them while their crime score is still elevated. Players should weigh whether a jailbreak is worthwhile or whether it is better to go through the trial process and attempt an acquittal.

Trial Process

The trial is the centerpiece of the justice system. When a Zoi is arrested and their crime score exceeds the threshold for a trial (as opposed to a simple fine), the following multi-step process unfolds.

Appointing a Lawyer

Before the trial, the Zoi must choose legal representation. The quality of the lawyer is one of the single biggest factors in determining the trial outcome. There are two tiers of legal representation:

Players who want to beat the charges should invest in an elite lawyer whenever possible. The cost varies but the improved odds make it a worthwhile investment, especially for Zois facing serious charges. Choosing a free lawyer is better than no representation at all, but the limited card options make acquittal extremely difficult.

Trial Preparation

After appointing a lawyer, a trial preparation mission is assigned. During this mission, the player is presented with various opportunity cards while answering questions about the case. 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 preparation phase is where most trials are won or lost. Players should take their time and consider each card choice carefully. Rushing through preparation leads to a weaker set of options during the trial itself. The preparation mission functions like a mini-game where strategic choices compound: each correct answer unlocks progressively better cards for the courtroom phase.

Zois who posted bail and prepared outside of detention have a practical advantage, since they can manage their needs (hunger, hygiene, social) before the preparation mission begins, allowing them to focus entirely on the task without mood penalties dragging them down.

The Trial Itself

Trials take place in the Courtroom, a dedicated location added in v0.5.0. The trial proceeds mostly automatically, but the player is presented with opportunity cards at key moments. Each card presents a choice, and selecting the correct answer can reduce the sentence or lead to acquittal.

The cards available during the trial depend on two factors: how well the preparation mission went and the quality of the lawyer. An elite lawyer with thorough preparation unlocks the best possible card pool. A free lawyer with poor preparation results in a very limited and unfavorable set of choices.

Verdicts and Sentencing

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, not the default expectation.

Failed attempts at defense may result in harsher sentences. If a player pushes aggressively for acquittal but makes poor card choices, the resulting sentence can be worse than if they had taken a more conservative approach. This risk-reward dynamic means players need to read the situation and decide whether to fight for full acquittal or aim for a reduced sentence instead.

Verdicts and Punishments

The trial can result in one of three outcomes:

After a guilty verdict with police custody, the Zoi is returned to jail to serve their sentence. The sentence length scales with the accumulated crime score and the severity of the offenses. During this period, the Zoi cannot work, attend events, or leave the facility (unless they attempt a jailbreak).

Fines are deducted directly from the household's Meow balance. If the household does not have enough Meow to cover the fine, the balance goes negative, placing the household in debt. This can create a vicious cycle where financial pressure pushes the Zoi back toward crime to recover the lost funds.

Impact on Relationships and Household

The justice system does not operate in isolation. Criminal activity and its consequences ripple through a Zoi's social life and household in several ways:

KRAFTON has indicated that relationship consequences for criminal behavior will continue to be refined throughout Early Access, with more detailed household dynamics planned for future updates.

Interaction with the Karma System

The justice system is closely linked to the Karma system, though the two track different values. Crime score measures accumulated criminal activity and determines police response thresholds, while Karma reflects the Zoi's overall moral standing and affects social interactions.

Every criminal action lowers Karma in addition to raising the crime score. Low Karma causes other Zois to avoid the character, spread rumors, and generally treat them with suspicion. Severely low Karma damages relationships, harms career prospects, and affects the Zoi's afterlife destination.

However, low Karma also unlocks additional interactions. Zois with bad Karma gain access to the Extort action and other aggressive social options. This creates a deliberate trade-off: deeper criminal engagement provides more tools and income opportunities, but at the cost of social standing and long-term well-being.

Career Connections

The justice system connects to several career paths in the game:

Lawyer Career

The Lawyer is 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 to and from the workplace by taxi. Young Adult, Adult, and Middle-Aged Zois are eligible.

The career progresses through three tiers with increasing salary:

The Lawyer career is one of the higher-paying career paths in inZOI. Unlike active jobs where the player controls the Zoi at their workplace, the Lawyer career is a rabbit hole job where the Zoi disappears into the firm during work hours and returns home automatically. Skill development happens passively during the work shift.

Criminal Path

While not a formal career, pursuing crime through the Suspicious Job Agency is an alternative income source. Successful criminals can earn significant Meow through high-level theft and scams. The Agency's job postings function as gig-style missions, paying out Meow upon completion. Higher Crime Skill levels unlock more lucrative jobs, though they also carry greater risk of arrest and prosecution.

Some players choose to combine a legitimate career with criminal activity on the side, using crime to supplement their income. This dual approach requires careful management of the Zoi's schedule and crime score to avoid arrest interfering with work obligations.

New Locations and Skills

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

Tips for Navigating the Justice System

Players who engage with the crime system should keep the following strategies in mind:

1. Always save before committing a crime. The randomness of witness detection and police response means that even low-risk crimes can go wrong. Having a recent save allows for a do-over.

2. Invest in supporting skills early. Handiwork, Programming, Fitness, Rhetoric, and Critical Thinking all improve crime success rates. Building these skills before attempting higher-level crimes makes a significant difference.

3. Budget for an elite lawyer. The cost of an elite lawyer is almost always worth it compared to the financial and time losses from a guilty verdict. Set aside Meow specifically for legal fees.

4. Post bail whenever possible. Being out on bail gives the Zoi time to prepare properly for the trial, manage their needs, and avoid mood penalties during the preparation mission.

5. Take the preparation mission seriously. The trial preparation phase determines the quality of opportunity cards available during the trial. Rushing through it dramatically reduces the chances of acquittal.

6. Know when to aim for a reduced sentence. If preparation went poorly or the Zoi has a free lawyer, pushing for full acquittal is risky. A conservative approach that aims for a fine instead of jail time may be the smarter choice.

7. Plan your escape route. Before committing a crime, identify police-free areas where the Zoi can lay low during the one-day wanted period. Avoid main streets and busy commercial areas.

8. Consider the household impact. If the Zoi is the primary earner, an arrest can cripple the household financially. Weigh the potential crime payout against the risk of fines, bail, and lost work income.

Current Limitations

As of the current Early Access build, the trial system has the following 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 by the development team

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

• Criminal records and wanted status persist across cities, which has been flagged as a potential bug on the official forums

• The crime skill experience bar stops at Level 5 with no indication of when higher levels will be added

• Car theft success appears to be partially random, with the alarm trigger chance not clearly tied to any skill

• NPC lawyer AI during trials can sometimes behave unexpectedly, with some players reporting bugged court cases on the official forums

Planned Improvements

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

KRAFTON has indicated that the justice system will continue to be refined throughout Early Access, with each major update bringing incremental improvements to the crime, trial, and incarceration systems.