Too Bad I Take Things Seriously

Qin Mu and Zhang Wei, along with three top-tier lawyers from Yangcheng...

walked into the Eighth Simulated Court.

Both parties took their seats and stood at their respective positions.

Qin Mu and Zhang Wei exchanged a glance and stood at the defendant’s defense table.

The opposing party stood at the prosecutor’s table.

After a short while.

The two individuals portraying the defendants...

were "escorted" to the court by the bailiffs and stood at the defendant’s seats marked Zhang San and Li Si.

"Dong——"

Immediately after.

People gradually entered the courtroom and took their seats at the Judgment Chief and judicial officer’s positions.

They were all members of the Lawyer’s Association, versed in law, serving as the panel for this simulated court.

"Qin Mu, I was just considering that this case is basically unwinnable. We have no choice but to strive for a suspended sentence."

Zhang Wei took a deep breath and suddenly raised his head to look at Qin Mu.

The evidence chain for the entire case is complete, even with an eyewitness.

They are at a natural disadvantage.

An acquittal is basically impossible.

The defense can only shift towards advocating for a suspended sentence.

And the first round of the elimination system...

is actually determined not by the outcome of the simulated trial but by the comprehensive ranking of performance scores given by the panel.

After all trials end.

The top thirty-two regions in performance scores advance smoothly to the second round, where they continue drawing lots for further competition and exchange.

The bottom thirty-two in performance scores are directly eliminated.

Even though they drew a case with a natural disadvantage, it doesn’t mean they will certainly be eliminated in the first round.

As long as they can secure a suspended sentence.

"The crime of causing death by negligence refers to the perpetrator’s failure to foresee due to negligence, or having foreseen but believing the death could be avoided."

Zhang Wei paused for a moment, then continued, "Three points must be satisfied: the perpetrator has committed an act that caused death, the act led to the death result, and the result was due to negligence."

"And the actions of Zhang San and Li Si fully meet these three points."

Zhang San and Li Si carried out the act of setting off fireworks.

Setting off fireworks resulted in Wang Er’s death, who was swimming in the pond.

The two were unaware of Wang Er being in the pond beforehand and did not know Wang Er had a congenital heart condition, which fits the negligence scenario.

All three points are satisfied.

Basically, it’s an inescapable, open-and-shut case.

According to the criminal law,

those who cause death by negligence receive a fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than seven years; if the circumstances are relatively minor, it is less than three years.

And according to the investigation, Zhang San and Li Si were strangers to Wang Er.

No grudges in the past, no resentments in the recent days.

There’s essentially no possibility of premeditated murder.

Therefore.

The circumstances are minor.

"In my opinion, the opposing lawyer will definitely suggest a sentence of around one year and six months. Our task is to fight for a suspended sentence."

Zhang Wei stared at Qin Mu, putting forth his thoughts.

The other party, being a professional criminal lawyer,

would definitely not file for a sentence exceeding three years.

And a maximum of three years’ imprisonment isn’t appropriate, as Zhang San and Li Si have not committed any overly harmful acts.

Unable to reach a maximum limit.

"A suspended sentence?"

Qin Mu pondered slightly, glancing at the three lawyers on the opposing side.

He found them discussing strategies as well, seemingly having formulated a litigation strategy.

"I just summarized that there are three conditions under which a suspended sentence can be sought for this case."

Zhang Wei nodded and continued, "Firstly, Zhang San and Li Si’s degree of negligence isn’t severe. They merely set off two firecrackers in the pond; it’s not an injurious act and falls within routine social behavior."

"Secondly, the pond is a wild pond. They set off firecrackers in the pond not to bomb fish for theft or any other reason, merely for entertainment, which is not unlawful."

"Thirdly, Zhang San and Li Si’s negligent behavior was simply for their own amusement. They were unaware of Wang Er being in the pond, let alone his congenital heart condition. The objective of their negligent act was pure and legitimate."

"Think again, and see if there are any other conditions for a suspended sentence?"

Zhang Wei looked at Qin Mu, asking with a face full of expectation.

Hearing this, Qin Mu was equally slightly surprised.

Zhang Wei’s capability is indeed strong; he quickly came up with these three favorable conditions for a suspended sentence.

Indeed.

These three conditions can all prove that Zhang San and Li Si’s actions were minor.

Using it as the core...

there is a full opportunity to fight for a suspended sentence.

In fact,

besides these three points, there is another condition for a suspended sentence, such as the subjective fault of the perpetrator.

Zhang San and Li Si have no intention of harming others subjectively.

Wang Er’s death, although causally linked to them, can be attributed to an accidental event.

It should be considered as a significantly minor offense, for which non-prosecution or a suspended sentence can be enforced.

But...

"Actually, I’ve found another defense strategy."

Qin Mu smiled slightly, not assisting in perfecting the strategy for probation defense.

"Another defense strategy?"

Zhang Wei was momentarily stunned and couldn’t help but frown.

The defense strategies for this case are limited.

Either probation.

Or sentence reduction.

It’s impossible that...

Qin Mu is going for a not guilty defense, right?

"Dong——"

At this moment.

The Judgment Chief of the mock trial knocked on the podium, glancing over at the prosecution’s table, the defendant’s counsel table, and the audience with many lawyers observing.

In a deep voice, he said, "Since everyone present here is a professional, let’s skip the preliminary reading of court discipline and directly start the trial of this case."

"Let’s first have the prosecution make their statement, presenting the indictment."

Just as the words fell.

The three lawyers at the prosecution’s table exchanged glances, with two of the top criminal lawyers nodding at each other.

One stepped forward: "We accuse Zhang San and Li Si of, on xx of month x, when passing by a certain pond, indulging in some fun by each setting off two firecrackers, inadvertently startling Li Si who was swimming in the pond, leading to his sudden death from a heart attack."

"Their actions constitute negligent homicide, and we request the Tribunal to sentence Zhang San to one year and six months of imprisonment, and Li Si to the same."

After briefly stating the facts of the case.

The two lawyers analyzed the case from multiple aspects, proposing what they deemed to be the most reasonable sentences.

Neither too harsh nor too lenient.

After finishing.

They looked expectantly at Qin Mu and his partner at the defendant’s counsel table.

This time, they drew lots favorably.

A significant advantage from the start.

Naturally victorious.

As long as they don’t mess around, they don’t believe they can lose this case!

"Dong——"

The Judgment Chief of the mock trial nodded, then turned to look at Qin Mu and his partner.

In a deep voice, he asked, "Will the defendant’s counsel respond on behalf of the defendant?"

This mock trial differs from a formal one.

In a formal trial...

Typically, the defendants would first make their statements, but in this case, the two defendants were just placeholders.

Everything relied on the lawyers’ strategy.

"This..."

Zhang Wei furrowed his brows, intending to step forward and respond.

But Qin Mu stepped forward first and said, "We believe, while the prosecution’s allegations are reasonable and lawful, according to the statutes, our clients Zhang San and Li Si’s actions... do not constitute any crime!"

Before the words fell silent.

The entire mock courtroom was stunned.

Zhang Wei widened his eyes in disbelief at Qin Mu.

The sudden commencement of the trial had interrupted their conversation.

Qin Mu hadn’t finished his statement.

He didn’t expect...

It really was a not guilty defense strategy!

Besides him, the most shocked were the three defense attorneys and the other top lawyers observing from the audience.

"A not guilty defense? To dare propose a not guilty defense for this case? All elements of the crime are met, how can a not guilty defense be made?"

"I guessed right, an intern lawyer is just an intern lawyer, young and reckless, doesn’t know the seriousness of this defense, he’ll be crying later!"

"Does he think the opposing lawyers are like the random, inexperienced lawyers he faced before? Does he not understand the caliber of top lawyers?"

"This blunder is out in the open now, isn’t it? No wonder he didn’t offer any opinions at the exchange meeting yesterday."

"..."

The audience shook their heads.

Scoffing at Qin Mu’s sudden proposal of a not guilty defense strategy.

While not all were criminal defense experts, they understood enough.

Qin Mu presenting this defense strategy...

Shows he’s completely an outsider.

"What a rookie!"

Somewhere in the audience, Zhao Baiqin sneered.

Looking at Qin Mu...

His gaze turned even more disdainful.

He hadn’t started his mock trial yet, specifically coming to the eighth mock courtroom to observe.

Wanting to gauge Qin Mu’s capabilities.

It turns out, just as he suspected, not only weak but also reckless.

The moment the not guilty defense strategy was put forward...

The case was almost half lost already, Qin Mu being eliminated from Jin City seems inevitable.