Laws are most often enforced in towns and cities. Alternatively if you commit offences infront of soldiers it may lead to a law enforcement event.
In most cases, criminals pay a fine and are let go the next day. Those who cannot pay are required to work off their debt. If a crime requires a trial, the town council hears evidence and renders a verdict. Crime breaks down into three basic categories in Saltmarsh.
Typically a fine of 2d6gp and/or 1 night in jail
Typically 4d10gp and serve 2d4 days
Varies: 2d10 days / 2d6 weeks / 2d4 years / Execution
Built on a low hill, the Saltmarsh barracks are also its jail. The jail in the cellar consists of two sections. Two single large chambers holds drunks, brawling fishers, and other troublemakers who need to cool off for the night. The lock is high quality, and the door is crafted of strong iron.
A side passage holds 4 individual cells with higher-quality locks and solid iron doors. The jail is used to hold prisoners with sentences of up to a week, but those facing longer terms or sentenced to hard labor are transferred to the prison at Seaton, a larger, heavily fortified port to the east.
Saltmarsh was built on the ruins of a much older settlement, sometimes called Old Saltmarsh or the Old Harbor. One sign of this is that the town has a small stretch of wall and a single town gate secured by two or three guards. The wall is old, crumbling, and badly worn by centuries of rain and wind coming in from the Azure Sea.
The garrison at the gate consists of older guards, those nearing retirement and unwilling or unable to walk patrols. Their eyes are sharp, and they are prone to gossip.