Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26855145-20150804175825/@comment-24674051-20150826194444

True, But then you'd have all the people that have seen at least some of the changed person that she is popping in as character witnesses. Snow, Grumpy, Belle, Ariel, David, etc.

No, I think someone hit on it by pointing out that Regina was a tyranical matriarch. She was the queen, and (like it or not) could do as she darn well pleased, at least until someone was able to dethrone her.

And she WAS put on trial, found guilty, and sentenced to death. Snow granted a stay of execution and eventually released her (after pulling her fangs). I would say any trial at this point (for anything from prior to her capture in the EF) would be considered Double Jeopardy, which the last time I checked the US Laws is illegal. Of course, someone might try to hold her accountable for the curse, but then again, she recanted and undid the curse (and suffered greatly as a result), so I think she has been punished enough for that one.

There are a few crimes post curse that she could be held accountable for. Graham (Murder), Kurt Flynn (Murder), Joanna (Assault), Henry(Wreckless Endangerment with a poisoned Apple Turnover), Sydney (Kidnapping?), Destruction of Public Property (though she was undercover on that one), but really for the most part, post curse Regina has been more of just a general witch (with a b), and not so much actual law breaking. And as she appears to be making a genuine effort to turn around, most of the witchy stuff can be overlooked. (I mean, everyone deserves a second chance, that is one of the themes of the show).