 The proceedings of Altairian trial defy which tenet of the modern western legal system?
Encroachment on private property is legal grounds for murder on this planet, and twelve of them descended on the same chunk of land at the same time, all armed with title-deeds." "By Interplanetary Rules, they have to give you a trial in Terran legal form—judge, jury, court procedure, all that folderol. Finally the question of precedent seemed to be settled, and a group of the Altairians filed in, in order of stature, stalking across the room in flowing black robes, pug-nosed faces glowering with self-importance. Four separate and distinct charges of jail-break and bribery—" The judge pounded the bench for order—"Espionage with the accursed scum of Altair II in preparation for interplanetary invasion."
 a defendant is innocent until proven guilty
 a defendant is innocent until proven guilty  a defendant has a right to due process  no warrant shall be issued without just cause  no one shall be subject to self-incrimination