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Trial and Justice System - Version 13 vs Version 14
May 25, 2026, 02:22 PM
Corrected wikilink existence flags
Jun 8, 2026, 11:04 PM
Removed duplicate in-body wikilinks
11Overview22The 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.44Only 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.66The 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.88How Crime Begins1010A 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:1212ConditionDescriptionEconomic hardshipthe Zoi owns 2,000 Meow or less, or is struggling due to excessive debtSocial isolationemotional strain from lack of social support, strained or broken relationshipsPersonality predispositionZois with the Rulebreaker trait or Malicious characteristic are predisposed to criminal behavior1515Once 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.1616It 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.1818The Suspicious Job Agency2020The Suspicious Job Agency is a shady organization that is 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.2222The 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.2424Using 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.2626Crime Types2828There 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 v0.7.0.3030Thief3232Thieves 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.3434The thief path progresses through six Crime Skill levels (0 through 5), with each level unlocking more sophisticated interactions:3636Crime Skill LevelUnlocked InteractionsLevel 0Basic theft: stealing from the homeless, snatching bags, swiping snacks, pilfering from food stallsLevel 1Coin skimming from parking meters, vending machine coin swipesLevel 2POS machine robbery, safe snatching, lock picking doorsLevel 3ATM hacking (requires at least Level 1 Programming)Level 4Safe cracking for higher-value contentsLevel 5CCTV disabling, enabling undetected theft from high-security locations3838To 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.3939Thief Interactions4141The core thief interactions added in v0.5.0 include:4343InteractionDescriptionPick Door Locksilently open a locked door using lockpicking tools. Success rate depends on Handiwork skill.Break Down Doorforce a door open (faster but louder, higher chance of witnesses reporting the break-in)Open Safecrack a safe to steal valuables inside. Higher Crime Skill levels improve the payout.Sabotage Surveillance Cameradisable security cameras to avoid detection. Essential for high-security targets at Level 5.4545Scammer4646Scammers 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:4848Crime Skill LevelUnlocked InteractionsLevel 0Gaming item fraud: tricking Zois into trading valuable virtual items for worthless onesLevel 1Second-hand trade scams: manipulating deals to shortchange other ZoisLevel 2Impersonating charity workers to solicit fake donationsLevel 3Holding bogus seminars and charging attendance fees for worthless contentLevel 4False investment procurement: running investment fraud schemes targeting multiple victimsLevel 5Voice phishing (vishing): the most sophisticated scam requiring high Rhetoric skill5050Scammer Interactions5151The core scammer interactions added in v0.5.0 include:5353InteractionDescriptionAttempt Voice Phishingcall a target Zoi and try to trick them into sending money. Requires high Rhetoric to succeed consistently.Scam In-Game Itemsmanipulate a trade to steal valuable items from another ZoiImpersonate Charity Workerpose as a charity representative to collect fake donationsHold Fake Seminarorganize and charge for a fraudulent educational event. Payouts scale with the number of attendees.5555Players 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.5656Car Theft (V0.7.0)5858The 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.6060To 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.6262Extortion6464Zois 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.6666Crime Score6868Every 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.7070Committing 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.7272If 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.7474Wanted Status and Escape7676Thieves 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.7878The 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.8181Arrest8383When a Zoi is arrested, they are taken into police custody. Arrest can happen in several ways:8585TriggerDescriptionCaught in the acta witness reports the crime and police arrive on sceneWanted encountera wanted Zoi crosses paths with a police officer during the one-day notice periodCrime score thresholdwhen a Zoi's accumulated crime score exceeds the arrest threshold, police will detain them on sight regardless of whether they are currently committing a crimeHarassing policefighting Zois in public draws police attention, and attacking an officer results in immediate arrestExtortion attemptusing the Extort action on a police officer (available only for Zois with bad Karma) results in immediate arrestFailed car thefttriggering a car alarm during a vehicle theft attempt alerts nearby police (added in v0.7.0)8787Once 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.8888Bail9090Zois 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.9292Bail 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.9494Posting 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.9696Jail9898Jail 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.100100An arrested Zoi has access to the following amenities:102102A bed for sleepingA sink and mirror for basic hygieneA toiletA vending machine and water cooler for food and drinkA phone for checking messages and playing mobile games104104Standard 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.106106Surprisingly, 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.108108Jailbreak110110Jail 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.112112The 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.114114Trial Process116116The 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.118118Appointing a Lawyer120120Before 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:122122Lawyer TypeCostEffect on TrialFree Legal RepresentativeFree (court-appointed)Provides basic defense. Limited opportunity cards available during trial. Lower chance of acquittal or reduced sentence.Elite LawyerCosts Meow (varies)Significantly better opportunity cards. Higher odds of acquittal or reduced sentence. Access to exclusive defense strategies.124124Players 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.125125Trial Preparation127127After 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.129129The 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.131131Zois 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.133133The Trial Itself135135Trials 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.137137The 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.139139Verdicts and Sentencing141141Guilty 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.143143Failed 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.145145Verdicts and Punishments147147The trial can result in one of three outcomes:149149VerdictDescriptionWhen It HappensAcquittalThe Zoi is found not guilty and released with no penalty.Rare. Requires elite lawyer, thorough preparation, and correct opportunity card choices.FineThe Zoi is found guilty but receives a monetary penalty (Meow deduction) rather than jail time.Common for lower crime scores and first offenses. Possible with moderate preparation.Police CustodyThe Zoi is sentenced to incarceration. Duration depends on the severity of the crimes.Typical outcome for repeat offenders and high crime scores, especially with a free lawyer.152152After 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).153153Fines 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.155155Impact on Relationships and Household157157The justice system does not operate in isolation. Criminal activity and its consequences ripple through a Zoi's social life and household in several ways:159159ImpactDescriptionReputation damagecommitting crimes and getting arrested lowers the Zoi's standing with other Zois. Neighbors, friends, and coworkers may begin avoiding the Zoi or spreading rumors about them.Relationship straina Zoi's partner or family members may react negatively to criminal behavior. Repeated arrests put significant stress on romantic relationships and friendships.Household income losswhile a Zoi is in jail or on trial, they cannot work. For households that depend on the criminal Zoi's income, this creates financial hardship that affects every household member.Debt spiralfines, bail costs, and lawyer fees can push a household into debt. Combined with the income loss from jail time, this financial strain may ironically push the Zoi back toward crime as a way to recover.Career impactmissing work due to arrest and incarceration can harm career progression. The Zoi may lose performance standing or miss promotion opportunities.161161KRAFTON 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.162162Interaction with the Karma System164164The 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.166166Every 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.168168However, 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.170170Career Connections172172The justice system connects to several career paths in the game:174174Lawyer Career176176The 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.178178The career progresses through three tiers with increasing salary:180180PositionDaily Salary (Meow)NotesJunior Lawyer450Entry-level position. Starting tier for new lawyers.Senior Lawyer1,164Mid-career. Requires consistent performance advancement.Partner Lawyer2,040Top tier. Highest-paying position in the law firm.182182The 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.183183Criminal Path185185While 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.187187Some 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.189189New Locations and Skills191191Update v0.5.0 introduced several new locations and skills tied to the justice system:193193FeatureDescriptionCourtrooma new location where trials take place. has a judge, witness stand, and seating for the proceedings.Crime skilla new skill that tracks criminal progression and unlocks higher-level crime interactions. Currently capped at Level 5.Jailupgraded from a rabbit hole to a fully playable location with amenities and the jailbreak mechanic.Suspicious Job Agencya new location with a Bulletin Board for purchasing crime information and accepting criminal missions.195195Tips for Navigating the Justice System196196Players who engage with the crime system should keep the following strategies in mind:198198Always 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.200200Current Limitations202202As of the current Early Access build, the trial system has the following known limitations:204204Traffic accident cases do not currently proceed to trial; the Zoi is sent directly to jail insteadThe range of opportunity cards during trials is still being expanded by the development teamJail 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 forumsThe crime skill experience bar stops at Level 5 with no indication of when higher levels will be addedCar theft success appears to be partially random, with the alarm trigger chance not clearly tied to any skillNPC lawyer AI during trials can sometimes behave unexpectedly, with some players reporting bugged court cases on the official forums206206Planned Improvements208208KRAFTON's 2026 roadmap includes significant expansions to the justice system:210210FeatureDetailsPolice careera new career path featuring patrol cars and real-time criminal searches, expanding the existing Officer jobRefined bail calculationbail amounts will be more precisely calculated based on crime type and sentence lengthDetailed arrest processincluding on-site arrest procedures and police station processing before detentionExpanded prison facilities (Q2 2026)full prison properties are planned with a yard, library, workshop for laundry and sewing, lounge, cafeteria, shower area, and visitation roomHome and vehicle security systemsalarms and safes that players can install to protect their own properties from NPC theftRicher court interactionsincluding prison visitation during trial waiting periods and more opportunity card varietyViolent NPC behaviorscrowd Zois will be able to engage in fights and robberies, expanding the range of crime in the simulationAdditional crime typesthe system will continue to grow with new criminal activities and deeper consequencesRelationship consequencesmore detailed household dynamics when a family member is incarcerated, including impacts on children and romantic partners212212KRAFTON 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.
