Chapter 81: Chapter 81 Many lawyers say online
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In the following days, Qin Mu’s life returned to normal. He went to work and came home on time every day. However, when he returned home each day, he had to be particularly wary of things falling from above, to prevent any dangerous objects from landing on him. Throwing objects from high places is even worse than drunk driving. Even a small item, dropped from over ten stories, could cause immeasurable harm. Therefore, when the court asked if he was willing to show leniency, he decisively refused. People who throw objects from high places, regardless of their reasons, do not deserve forgiveness. When they threw those bottles, they gave no thought to the consequences. If no one was hurt, it might have been one thing. But if someone was injured or killed, it wouldn’t just be one person affected, but several families! He had no intention of showing mercy to such individuals.
Meanwhile, at the nursing home, ever since he had rejected those forty-year-old wealthy women, Old Zhang had become obsessed with introducing him to potential partners. The recommendations grew increasingly outrageous, eventually including seventy-something-year-old lonely grandmothers. Consequently, whenever Qin Mu saw Old Zhang now, he would instinctively turn tail and run, fearing he would be dragged off to a blind date. That scene was too horrifying; he didn’t dare imagine it.
「Time slowly passed.」
A week quickly went by, and the day of the court hearing finally arrived.
Early that morning, Qin Mu and Wang Dachui left the nursing home and headed straight for the court. Having been involved in several lawsuits before, he was quite familiar with court procedures. What surprised him was that the opposing lawyer was once again his old acquaintance, Zhang Wei. Upon seeing Qin Mu, Zhang Wei even greeted him warmly, almost making Qin Mu think Zhang Wei was his own defense lawyer.
"Lawyer Zhang, why were you smiling so happily just now?"
From the defendant’s dock, Gao Feng watched the exchange between his lawyer and Qin Mu, a bad premonition suddenly rising in his heart.
"AHEM, didn’t I tell you before? I’ve faced him in court several times. The people he helped send to prison? I was the one who argued for sentence reductions for all of them," Zhang Wei explained casually, then added a reminder, "The hearing is about to start. Remember to do as I instructed you earlier."
Before the hearing, he had already instructed Gao Feng on how to act to secure a lighter sentence from the judge and adjudicators. Generally speaking, there are several factors considered for mitigating sentences for suspected criminals during a trial. First is their attitude when pleading guilty. If they show genuine remorse and cooperate, their punishment may be reduced accordingly. Of course, heinous criminals, such as those guilty of intentional murder, are not eligible for this. Second is demonstrating significant meritorious service, such as reporting accomplices or making major contributions to the police or society. Third is being a first-time offender. Those with no prior criminal record usually have the chance for a lighter sentence. However, once there is a criminal record, the sentence will be more severe; a sentence that might typically be three to ten years could start from at least five years! Fourth involves an attempted crime or the discontinuation of a crime. The purpose of this type of reduction is mainly to encourage those in the act of committing a crime to repent and mend their ways.
As for Gao Feng’s case, it clearly wasn’t an attempted crime. The crime of endangering public safety by dangerous means is established as soon as the intentional act is committed. Even if it causes no actual harm, it’s still considered a serious offense, punishable by three to ten years in prison. Moreover, Gao Feng had intentionally concealed the truth in this case, only admitting his guilt when he had no other choice. This constituted serious concealment and attempting to evade justice. Strictly speaking, the penalty for the original offense is three to ten years. For his concealment, Gao Feng should face an additional one to two years of punishment. After hearing this, Gao Feng nodded, but his gaze flickered for a moment.
"Silence!"
On the bench, the judge and the other two adjudicators exchanged glances, a hint of helplessness on their faces. This was because it was the fourth time this month they had seen Qin Mu in court. Qin Mu was the constant, while the defendants were always changing. Every time, Qin Mu stood at the plaintiff’s stand, and the defendants were never the same. At first, it was a few women; later, it escalated to an entire company. This time, it was initially supposed to be all the owners of a building. If the one who threw the object hadn’t been identified and the defendant changed, the defendant’s dock probably wouldn’t have been large enough.
BANG—
The gavel sounded, and the trial began. The judge took a deep breath, his solemn and serious voice resonating throughout the courtroom. "The plaintiff will now present the statement of claim, outlining the cause for action and the relief sought."
At the plaintiff’s stand, Qin Mu immediately stood up, took out his statement of claim, and read it aloud. Due to its relatively minor direct consequences, this case would not normally be pursued by the public prosecution service. If he hadn’t filed a private prosecution, Gao Feng would not have faced any punishment.
"On the 21st of this month, while returning to the Mountain and Water Garden District, I was endangered by an object thrown from a high place..."
After about two minutes, Qin Mu finished reading the statement of claim, accusing the defendant of throwing objects from a height and endangering public safety by dangerous means.
The judge nodded and looked towards Gao Feng. "The defendant may now respond to the plaintiff’s accusations."
Gao Feng swallowed and stood up nervously. As a working man, this was his first time in court; he had never witnessed such formal proceedings and was understandably anxious. But so Yanzi wouldn’t wait for him in vain, he decided to follow Zhang Wei’s advice and try to salvage his situation.
"Your Honor, I admit that I was heartbroken and drunk that day, and foolishly threw a beer bottle down. But it was my first offense, and I actively confessed, admitting to the police station that I was responsible."
"Moreover, I drank too much that day. I was blackout drunk, and my awareness was hazy. I forgot that people would be walking downstairs at that time, and I didn’t realize the severity of throwing a bottle like that..."
From the counsel’s table, Zhang Wei finally relaxed upon hearing Gao Feng’s defense. He had been afraid Gao Feng would speak recklessly, like the previous defendants. Lin Zhen had disrupted his courtroom strategy, thinking he could persuade the judge with his oratory skills, only to be ruthlessly sentenced. And as for Yang Minghui and her associates... Talk about a pair of hidden talents—they didn’t even bother showing up to court. Fortunately, this time, Gao Feng was sensible and didn’t mess around. He mentioned all the defense points he had been instructed to, which also served as an indirect reminder to the judge to be lenient. After all, in court decisions, judges held the power of judgment, and human factors played a significant part. There had even been a case where a judge, holding a personal grudge against a defendant, sentenced them to death on the spot, with immediate execution by firing squad.
However, just as Zhang Wei began to feel at ease, Gao Feng, in the defendant’s dock, seemed unsatisfied after stating what he had been told. He started to speak again, "Your Honor, my friend looked it up for me online, and many lawyers there said that since I threw the bottle while drunk, it wasn’t a deliberate act. So, this shouldn’t be considered endangering public safety by dangerous means..."