User Infraction System

This is to inform everyone on the site that we have setup and will be utilizing the User Infraction System built into the new software. This system allows us to issue both warnings and infractions for various types of rule violations, each of which will be accompanied by points that will remain on your "record" for a preset length of time. If at any time you amass a certain amount of points you will be banned temporarily or permanently (depending on your total number of points). This system is being implemented and used to help maintain a certain level of consistency in our handling of rule violations, and to better keep track of repeat offenders and/or trouble makers. However, we [the staff] reserve the right to ban any individual by means of a majority vote (8 staffers to vote; my vote will be counted twice in the event of a tie) if/when the offense warrants it.

The infraction system is setup with two levels or types of infractions: Minor Infractions and Major Infractions.

Minor Infractions are those pertaining to the less offensive/severe rule violations such as:

• Use of vulgar language (not directed directly at another member)
• Deliberately "dodging" the bad-word filter (i.e. using @$$ or a-hole)
• Avatar and Signature rule violations
• Advertisers promoting their products and/or soliciting sales outside of their dedicated board.
• Flagrant violations of generally accepted forum etiquette (conduct unbecoming)
• Posting a For Sale, Want to Buy or Want To Trade ad outside of the classifieds

Major Infractions are those rule violations which are more personal and/or and substantial in nature such as:

• Starting a thread that is clearly political, racial or religious in nature.
• Use of vulgar language (specifically directed at another member)
• Non-Advertisers promoting their products and/or soliciting sales anywhere on the forum.
• Personal attack on another forum member
• Racial, ethnic or religious slander of any kind
• Publicly challenging the authority of and/or questioning a decision made by any member of the staff in regards to issuing infractions, closing threads, deleting posts, etc.

Points and Duration by Infraction
Below is a detailed look at how we have setup the infraction system. Each infraction has a point value and a length of time that point will remain on your virtual record. Note that points are extendable - i.e. if you have 1 point from a warning 2 months ago and then you receive another infraction, that first warning point would then be extended and wouldn't expire until the points of the second infraction expire.

Minor Infractions:
Minor - Warning = 1 point for 3 months
Minor - 1st Offense = 2 points for 6 months
Minor - 2nd Offense = 2 points for 6 months
Minor - 3rd Offense = 2 points for 6 months

Major Violations:
Major - Warning = 3 points for 12 months
Major - 1st Offense = 4 points for 12 months
Major - 2nd Offense = 4 points for 12 months
Major - 3rd Offense = 4 points for 12 months


Automatic Bans & Durations
As noted, once one accumulates a specific number of points the system will automatically ban them for a specific length of time. These bans and ban durations are outlined below, and we [the staff] feel this is a very fair and reasonable system.

Automatic Ban Intervals:
First Ban @ 4 points for a duration of 3 days
Second Ban @ 6 points for a duration of 7 days
Third Ban @ 10 points for a duration of 1 month
Fourth Ban @ 12 points = permanent ban

Note: Once you've been banned that does not automatically reset your points to zero. Your points will remain on your virtual record for their full duration no matter what, and will continue to climb to reach higher/longer duration bans if you accumulate additional infractions.

Warnings
At the discretion of the Admin/Moderator who is issuing the infraction, they can choose to issue a warning or full infraction based on what they feel is warranted given the nature of the specific offense. No member will receive more than one warning at any given time, and if they already have any infraction points they are ineligible to receive a warning. And to be clear, it will be very seldom that we issue a warning for a Major Infractions.