Are You Crazy? He’s only an Intern Lawyer?
Chapter 103 - 102: Because of Love? Simple Program Initiated

Chapter 103: Chapter 102: Because of Love? Simple Program Initiated

Jincheng Law Firm.

At 2 p.m., Zhang Wei returned.

After he left the detention center, he immediately went to the city court to submit an application for a "simple procedure."

A simple procedure, put simply, is a speedy trial.

Although criminal cases require a 12-person jury, and each trial consumes a lot of financial and physical resources.

But for cases with minor social impact and less harmful behavior, the judiciary also simplifies the trial of cases. This is the simple procedure.

A temporarily assembled 6-person jury, skipping the evidence presentation phase, with both the prosecution and defense only calling witnesses to testify, expedites the trial.

While saving judicial resources, it can also reduce the manpower resource loss for both sides, which can be a win-win situation.

When Zhang Wei returned to the office, he found that Li Yueqin and the others were still there, and every one of them was surrounding Tie Ruyun.

"Why don’t you go meet the client? What are you doing circling around Old Tie? He’s not the suspect, is he?"

Zhang Wei looked at the three somewhat nervous individuals and asked directly.

His internal monologue: Although I know this is your first time handling a case, can you at least act more professionally?

The behavior of Li Yueqin and the others was similar to students who had been assigned a task but didn’t know how to complete it, so they could only circle their teacher with questions.

Just like greenhorns afraid of making mistakes, fearful of this and that.

"What do you know? We’re just being cautious. What’s wrong with asking the team leader for advice? We’re the ones who are supposed to win this case!"

Jin Mingming, upon hearing Zhang Wei’s words, became displeased and retorted with hands on hips.

He was very tense at the moment, so Zhang Wei’s words just gave him an opportunity to vent.

"Heh, you’re scared to death and still trying to make your presence felt with me?"

Zhang Wei sneered inwardly, but he did not respond to Jin Mingming because he didn’t want to argue with a rookie.

Right now, everyone had cases on their hands. Once all four cases were over, the power of speech in the office would be decided.

Whoever wins will be able to speak loudly in the office, whoever loses will just have to whisper, that’s the unwritten rule amongst lawyers.

Ding-a-ling-ling!

Just then, the landline in front of Tie Cuilan rang.

The sound drew the attention of everyone present, including Tie Ruyun.

"Hello, Jin Cheng Law Firm’s Criminal Division, may I ask who this is?"

"Oh, it’s the city court. May I ask who you are looking for?"

"Simple procedure? The application passed? Let me inform Lawyer Zhang, the trial starts at 8:40 a.m. on Friday, Small Courtroom No. 2B on the second floor, okay, okay, I got it..."

Tie Cuilan hung up the phone and then looked towards Zhang Wei.

"Sister Cuilan, no need to say it, I know. Friday morning at 8:40, 2B Small Courtroom, I and the client are due in court..."

"What ’2B Small Courtroom,’ it’s called ’Small Courtroom B on the second floor!’"

Old Tie immediately interjected from the side, then asked, "You applied for a simple procedure, isn’t that disadvantageous for you? Without physical evidence to support you, will the jurors believe your witnesses?"

"Old Tie, it’s just a case of solicitation for prostitution, and moreover, an attempt. Haven’t you ever thought about solicitation? Men more or less have such thoughts, right?"

"This..."

Tie Ruyun’s mouth twitched; this was indeed a question he found difficult to answer.

If he answered "yes," how could he face others? How could he let the three women in the office see him?

If he answered "no," wouldn’t he be admitting that he was not a man?

No wonder this guy could leave one speechless with a single question!

However, Tie Ruyun was, after all, the leader. He quickly changed the subject: "I’ll be attending this case’s trial too. After all, this is your first case in the Criminal Division, and I will observe the whole process!"

"I’m going too, I’m going too!"

Lin Yumeng interjected eagerly from the side, her face filled with excitement.

Although Li Yueqin and Jin Mingming did not express it, they both wanted to go as well. After all, they would be able to witness a trial on Friday, and especially one where Zhang Wei served as the defense lawyer; they would not miss the chance to observe closely.

It was also to gain experience for their own trials.

"By the way, although the impact of this case isn’t big, the evidence is conclusive. Solely based on the testimony of the Martial Association staff and that lady, your client could be convicted, right?"

Even though Old Tie wasn’t optimistic about Zhang Wei, he still inquired, "How are you planning to defend that streaking maniac?"

"Isn’t that easy?"

Hearing this, Zhang Wei raised a finger: "Love!"

"Love?"

Tie Ruyun and the three buddies by his side looked at each other, completely clueless about what Zhang Wei was trying to say.

What the hell is love, does this case have anything to do with love?

"That’s my defense argument!"

Zhang Wei was still smiling, even though he himself felt it was a bit far-fetched, but that didn’t stop it from being a good line of thought for court defense.

"Actually, it’s quite simple, my client fell in love with that lady, so he followed her into the room, that’s all there is to it!"

"What did you say?"

"Old Tie, is there something wrong with your ears? I’m speaking in Dragon Country language, am I not?"

After teasing for a moment, Zhang Wei shrugged his shoulders, "Besides, isn’t the freedom to love promoted nowadays?"

"Even if he is an exhibitionist, even if she is a lady of the night, they too have the right to freely choose love, right!"

"But..."

"Old Tie, let me ask you, if you were to patronize a prostitute, but felt nothing for her, would you sleep with her?"

"Ah, this..."

Tie Ruyun was once again at a loss for words by Zhang Wei’s question.

At the same time, he noticed that including Tie Cuilan, the three female staff members in the office were all looking at him.

Alright, it might be better to keep his mouth shut; this question is impossible to answer.

"Right, you’re not talking anymore, which means you agree, doesn’t it?"

Zhang Wei chuckled and continued, "If you’re going to patronize a prostitute, you first have to feel attracted to her. That feeling could be purely for sexual lust, or it could be love at first sight for the lady. Who can explain clearly the mechanics of it?"

"Emotions like that, even Heaven can’t make clear, let alone the jury. That’s my line of thought for the court defense!"

Tie Ruyun was just about to object but suddenly realized that this kind of court defense idea really wasn’t something an ordinary person could come up with, and he didn’t know how to refute it.

We both graduated from law school, how come you can be so brilliant?

"Okay, I’ve said my piece about my case, what about you guys?"

Zhang Wei immediately shifted attention from himself and looked at Li Yueqin and the other two.

"Uh..."

Feeling Zhang Wei’s gaze, the three of them suddenly felt embarrassed.

They were all part of the same group, all newcomers. Zhang Wei could chat and laugh with Tie Ruyun.

He had met with his client, his court defense idea was all set, and he was just waiting for the trial on Friday.

But what about them?

They were still crowding around Tie Ruyun, asking this and that, their hearts twisting with indecision, not even sure when to meet their clients.

Seeing their expressions, Zhang Wei knew what was on their minds.

"My suggestion is, the sooner you meet with your clients, the better. When you get there, ask plenty of questions, about the time and place of the incident, whether there were any witnesses, and so on. You should even ask about details from 30 minutes before the incident, 60 minutes before, where the client was and what they were doing, whether they have an alibi..."

Zhang Wei immediately offered Li Yueqin and the others help based on his own experience.

However, his advice wasn’t extensive, many of them were questions any criminal lawyer would ask.

"By the way, one more thing to add, you’ll have to rely on your own experience to determine whether the client is lying or not. This is one of the most difficult skills for a defense attorney but also the most necessary. Most criminals will say anything to avoid jail, so you have to be particularly alert!"

Li Yueqin and the others exchanged looks. How could they determine whether or not the client was lying?

Perhaps noticing the lack of confidence in the three newcomers, Tie Ruyun hastily said:

"Don’t worry, you three. I’ll be overseeing this case throughout the process. You can come to me with any questions. Let’s take it one step at a time, let’s go and meet the clients first!"

"Can I go first?"

Li Yueqin volunteered, stepping forward. Since everything has a first time, she wanted to be the first!

As someone who self-claimed to have the most "experience" in the criminal division, she had to set a good example.

After all, she had been involved in so many lengthy court sessions and had been a clerk for so long, a mere case like this was certainly within her capabilities!

At least, that’s what Li Yueqin was telling herself.

Jin Mingming glanced at the hesitant Lin Yumeng and quickly interjected, "Then let me be the second one!"

He was planning to watch Zhang Wei’s court session first, followed by observing Li Yueqin’s case, and by the time it was his turn, he would have a clear idea of what to do.

As for the last one, Tie Ruyun’s energy was limited, and it was very possible that the group leader would be tired by then.

So he decided to sacrifice Lin Yumeng for his own victory—everyone else was an obstacle!

This thought was selfish, but right now, Jin Mingming was just thinking about himself.

"Oh, then I can only be the last..."

Seeing that everyone else had spoken, Lin Yumeng had no choice but to speak up last.

"Don’t worry, I’ll help you!"

Zhang Wei quickly squeaked.

Anyway, by the time it was Lin Yumeng’s turn, his case would have already ended, which would be the perfect opportunity to help the younger sister.

Moreover, he had previously studied Lin Yumeng’s case for a while and already had an idea in his mind.

"All right then, I’ll take you to meet the client, but one at a time. Today, we’ll see two. Those who want to meet Li Yueqin and Jin Mingming’s clients, do you want to come along, Lin Yumeng?"

"I..." Lin Yumeng glanced at Zhang Wei.

"Go on, go ahead. It’s a good opportunity to learn, isn’t Old Tie still here?"

Seeing Zhang Wei say that, Lin Yumeng naturally followed the three of them out.

The criminal division’s office was only left with Zhang Wei and Tie Cuilan.

"Sister Cuilan, do you think the three of them will make it?"

Tie Cuilan hadn’t expected Zhang Wei to actually ask for her opinion.

"Err... I’m not a lawyer, how could I make that judgment?"

"You might not be a lawyer, but you’ve been in the criminal division for quite some time now. You must have seen plenty of new lawyers, right? Do you think they can win their first case?"

"I think... probably not..."

After thinking about it, Tie Cuilan admitted somewhat awkwardly:

"I’ve been at the law firm for so long, not just the new people in the criminal division, I’ve seen many in the entire litigation department. But with their first case, especially the first court trial, very few people actually win."

"That’s pretty much what I was thinking. All three of them will probably lose their first trial..."

At that moment, Zhang Wei’s expression was very indifferent, as if he had already anticipated their failure. He looked on calmly, like an emotionless machine.

But the next moment, his face suddenly beamed with a smile.

"Hey, the office is empty, and the boss isn’t here, so let’s slack off a bit and give Silly a video call to see how she’s been lately..."

Watching the previously unfeeling Zhang Wei suddenly become all smiles, Tie Cuilan was astonished.

Was this the same person, or had she been seeing things a moment ago?

This kid, why is he like a person with two faces?

The entire afternoon, Tie Ruyun and the others didn’t come back, and Zhang Wei left after his shift ended.

He knew Tie Ruyun had a car and probably got stuck in traffic on the way back to the law firm with Li Yueqin and the others.

The traffic in Dongfang Capital, someone had already grown tired of complaining.

...

Thursday was busy.

Zhang Wei could feel that with the arrival of cases, the atmosphere in the criminal division had changed.

Li Yueqin kept her head down, working on documents, occasionally taking notes, and when she gathered enough questions, she would immediately ask Tie Ruyun for answers.

After getting a reply, she would continue her work and busily keep to herself.

Zhang Wei noticed her expression was very serious.

Jin Mingming was the same, but he lacked Li Yueqin’s integrity; he would suddenly raise a question whenever one arose. After receiving a response, he would nod, sit down, and then come up with another question after a while.

This was very inefficient because Jin Mingming barely wrote down any answers.

Compared to Li Yueqin, he simply asked questions for the sake of asking, whereas Li Yueqin asked to learn and improve herself.

As for Lin Yumeng, she was constantly staring at her computer screen, not saying a word from beginning to end.

Occasionally, when Zhang Wei approached, he only heard the younger sister murmuring to herself.

"What should I do, what should I do? It’s my first time participating in a case, I’m so scared..."

Zhang Wei wasn’t surprised because many newcomers dealing with their first case acted like this.

At lunch, Zhang Wei also noticed that Li Yueqin was distracted, Lin Yumeng seemed to have lost her spirit, but that didn’t affect his own appetite.

The busy Thursday passed quickly, and Old Tie had also asked several times about the progress of the cases. The responses from Li Yueqin and the others were quite pressuring.

As for Zhang Wei, he was brimming with confidence, even having written several pages for the draft of his court statement.

Another day went by, and Friday arrived.

8:00 a.m.

The City Court.

On the second floor corridor, outside courtroom B.

Zhang Wei liked to arrive early, so he was already waiting here early in the morning.

Before long, the client Tian Lixiong, escorted by two Martial Association Field Staff, arrived at the city courthouse.

The two of them quickly entered the preparation room.

"You still remember everything you told me that day, right?"

"Of course, I remember it all!"

"Good, during the trial, just speak the truth and tell the jury everything you have witnessed and know. There are no major issues with this case. The other side has only a lady and two Martial Association staff as witnesses. You just need to appear a bit more pessimistic, and everything will be fine!"

"Pessimistic?"

Tian Lixiong looked at Zhang Wei, somewhat puzzled.

Don’t all lawyers tell their clients to act more serious in court? Why does it seem different with you?

"Yes, you heard me right, I need you to appear pessimistic. Leave the rest to me!"

Zhang Wei patted Tian Lixiong on the shoulder, signaling him to be at ease.

You know the drill; once you perform well in court, everything will go smoothly!

In this trial, the witnesses aren’t important, nor is the testimony. What matters most is the closing statement!

And during my closing statement, the only person the jury will be looking at is you, Tian Lixiong. You must align your performance with my closing, to earn the jury’s support and sympathy...

When Zhang Wei and Tian Lixiong walked out of the preparation room, they saw Tie Ruyun, Li Yueqin, and three others arriving.

"Zhang Wei, it’s all on you now!"

"Come on, don’t fail at your first trial!"

"Good luck, good luck~"

Tie Ruyun, Li Yueqin, and Lin Yumeng were all cheering for Zhang Wei. As for Jin Mingming, he remained silent, looking at Zhang Wei with suspicion.

Zhang Wei simply ignored him and nodded to the three before taking Tian Lixiong into the 2B Small Courtroom.

The members of the Criminal Division followed them in, but the courtroom still seemed empty.

As this was a small courtroom with summary proceedings and the case was just about solicitation, there were pitifully few people who paid attention to it.

There were only a handful of people in the audience seats, including the Criminal Division members, less than ten people in total.

The prosecution, yawning, was already seated waiting for Zhang Wei and Tian Lixiong’s arrival.

This time, the prosecutor was a man with glasses who seemed very mild-mannered.

"Hello, I’m Chai Ping from the Central District Public Procuratorate Office. Are you the public defender in charge of this case? Pleased to meet you."

The prosecutor greeted Zhang Wei when he saw him.

After the greeting, however, he leaned in towards Zhang Wei, "Was there really a need to invoke the summary proceedings for such a case? It’s just an attempt at solicitation, at most 15 days of detention!"

"I am a public defender; my priority is my client’s interest. Since he asked, I must give it my all!"

Zhang Wei, however, brushed off the other’s skepticism with a formulaic reply.

"Hmph, what a waste of time. You’re clearly a newbie, so just wait for your defeat!"

Seeing Zhang Wei dismiss him, Chai Ping scoffed, "In that case, I’ll see to it that during the trial, we add his prior indecent exposure to his charges, which should keep him in detention a bit longer, as a warning to others!"

Zhang Wei smirked at the provocation, remaining calm, and walked with Tian Lixiong to the defendant’s bench.

In the audience seats.

Observing Zhang Wei’s demeanor, Tie Ruyun unconsciously nodded in approval.

He explained to the three beside him, "That was the brief meeting between the two parties before the trial. Typically, the prosecutor proposes a deal or terms at this time, and if we agree, we can submit a motion during the preliminary hearing!"

"So what Zhang Wei did just now..."

"Clearly they did not strike a deal. Given the minor impact of this case and the fact that there are two witnesses from the lady and the staff, the prosecution probably thinks they can skip the trade."

"Oh, I see..."

Li Yueqin and the other two nodded subconsciously, but they all seemed to have little confidence in Zhang Wei’s chances of winning.

"All rise!"

At that moment, the Court Guard announced the judge’s entrance.

The judge who arrived had no particular distinguishing features, appeared to be in his fifties, and wore a black robe, not one of the judges Zhang Wei was familiar with.

No sooner had the judge sat down than he immediately declared,

"Bring in the jury; today we are using summary proceedings, so there’s no need to select a jury!"

As the six jurors entered and sat down, the judge announced from the bench,

"Today’s session is meant to conserve judicial resources, hence the use of six random jurors without alternatives during the trial. There will be no presentation of evidence, only witness statements from both the prosecution and defense; based on these statements, the jury will render a judicial decision..."

Following the judge’s announcement, the trial officially began.