In the Duchy of Quaemisse Soruiquostua ruled by a Technocracy, a character must undergo a Trial by combat.
He has been framed by A monster or group of monsters - mind flayers, a beholder, giants, a dragon - and if found guilty of Treason, his punishment will be Bestow Curse. The prisoner loses 6 off his ability score. That is devastating, possibly cutting it in half or worse. Forcing them to become an imbecile is a good way to keep the person useful doing menial chores without needing high security. The GM can also craft their own Curse effect, such as 50% chance of lying down every six seconds - it’s hard to escape while taking a siesta.

Duchy - The dominion of a duke, who is the highest ranking noble not in the royal not in line of succession.
Technocracy - Technocracy (bureaucratic), a governmental or organizational system where decision makers are selected based upon how highly skilled and qualified they are, rather than how much political capital they hold. A form of government in which scientists and technical experts are in control; "technocracy is described as that society in which those who govern justify themselves by appeal to technical experts who justify themselves by appeal to scientific forms of knowledge"
Trial by combat - Fight to the death, winner is innocent