“There's no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren't enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws.”
― Ayn Rand
The Empire has always prided itself on its ability to maintain law and order within its borders. It was one of the fundamental draws of former independent provinces, to willingly become subjugated by the Empire in return for the safety and stability they brought. To that end, the Empire has enacted a quite harsh legal framework to specifically punish wrongdoers in an effort to "...scare the ne'er-do-well into a productive and holy life1."
Despite the harshness of Imperial Law, most citizens still feel that justice is served equally in the Empire as Imperial Law makes no distinction of class in its' code. Many citizens still remember the story of Count de Monet being executed for embezzlement of the Imperial Treasury during his tenure as Lord Minister. Or Earl Fouet, after blinding his serf during a drunken rage, had his own eyes burnt out with a blunt, hot poker.
As the power of Empire has begun to wane, newer and harsher measures to maintain law and order have been introduced. But as the enforcers of Imperial law have begun to become more impotent, ultimately it has started to fail in keeping the piece.
1 - A reference from the Imperial Criminal Code vol XLII.