Are You Crazy? He's only an Intern Lawyer?-Chapter 27 - Ready for Internship, But Became a Juror Instead

Seeing this prompt, he knew that he had completed all the steps on the path to becoming a lawyer, and now all he needed to do was wait.

Once a law student passes the judicial assessment and submits the application, what follows is a long period of internship.

The duration of the internship is subject to the judicial administration’s notice, short as 3-6 months, long as 7-10 months, with the time not fixed.

Only after the internship is passed will the judicial administration grant the professional qualification certificate into your hands.

The internship period is also the most difficult time for law students, as newcomers are unlikely to take on litigation cases, and many law firms won’t nurture them, preferring lawyers who can fight straight away.

Newcomer lawyers who just graduated from law school lack both court experience and social exposure.

The third and most difficult point is that their thinking is still within the college realm, without any contact with the fierce competition within the legal industry.

To let a newcomer into the industry to participate in those battles is like putting a lamb amidst wolves.

And among those who survive the newbie period, barely one in ten remains.

Therefore, newcomers can only assist many lawyers during their internship, serving as assistant lawyers or even errand runners who deliver documents within the firm.

Otherwise, they help the lead lawyer verify documents, follow along during court sessions as a formality, and might not even get the chance to step up to the debating bench, but can only cheer from the witness stand.

But obviously, Zhang Wei would not choose this path.

As he understood, Dongfang Capital was quite accommodating to students who had completed the judicial exam, even allowing them to take on some pro bono cases.

Of course, as you know, with pro bono cases, no fees are charged at all, and most are criminal cases—thankless and strenuous, and very easy to lose.

Many lawyers won’t take these cases as they can add losses to their career records.

For many law students, becoming a lawyer is about making money, and pro bono cases are too difficult, with the opponent being the renowned Dongfang Capital Procuratorate’s Office.

You want me to fight an almost unbeatable opponent, expend a huge amount of energy preparing the case, and in the end, even if I win, I only get the client’s thanks.

Anyone would feel disgruntled.

Many newcomers don’t take on pro bono cases, unless that newcomer is fearless in the face of Dongfang Capital Procuratorate’s Office and is confident of victory.

For example…

Zhang Wei himself!

“Before obtaining my professional qualification, I need to complete what could be a year’s internship, but I won’t join a firm to pour tea and file documents for those barristers.

It’s too suffocating.

I want to work as a co-defense lawyer and make a name for myself in the legal circles of Dongfang Capital.

This way, not only can I increase my visibility, but it will also make the big law firms take notice of me.”

“If a newcomer could repeatedly defeat Dongfang Capital Procuratorate’s Office, I think those barristers wouldn’t have a choice but to recruit me, right?”

Zhang Wei smiled, his plan firmly set in his mind.

Ding Dong!

Just then, his phone chimed with a notification.

Zhang Wei smirked slightly, already knowing what had happened.

He picked up his phone, opened WeChat, and scrolled through Moments.

[Oye, your handsome Luo has passed the judicial exam!

Attached photo: Judicial exam transcript.]

This was a Moment posted by Luo Xiaobu; he had also passed the judicial exam.

At first, Zhang Wei didn’t have much confidence in Luo Xiaobu, even feeling that with the latter’s personality, it would be difficult to withstand the pressure in the final questioning stage.

But unexpectedly, whether Luo Xiaobu was lucky or the examiner gave him an easy time during the Q&A, he had passed the judicial exam.

“Right, should I also post a Moment to tell the others?”

Zhang Wei thought it necessary, otherwise Xia Hanhan would definitely be the first to message him to inquire; posting a Moment would inform all his friends.

He quickly took a screenshot of his exam results and started composing his Moments post.

[Judicial exam passed, Lawyer Zhang officially online!

Attached photo: Judicial exam transcript.]

The Moment was swiftly posted.

The next moment, a flurry of comments refreshed.

Luo Xiaobu: Zhang Wei, I didn’t expect you to pass as well, that’s great.

“This, it’s as if he’s talking like I wouldn’t pass, has he confused our positions or something?”

Seeing Luo Xiaobu’s comment, Zhang Wei felt speechless.

Those who didn’t know would think that the person staying up late to watch female streamers and spend money on draw prizes was him.

Xia Qianyue: Congratulations, Zhang Wei!

I knew you could do it!

Seeing the message from Simple-minded person, Zhang Wei smiled knowingly.

Zhao Qingyan: Congratulations, Xiao Zhang (keep it up)

Jessica: Congratulations, Zhang (smile)

Zhao Qingyan: Fighting!

What followed were messages from Zhao Qingyan and Jessica.

Zhao Qingyan originally left only a congratulations, but after seeing Jessica’s message, he added another.

“Heh, Uncle Zhao is old but not with a youthful heart!” Zhang Wei’s mouth twitched, but he didn’t say anything.

After all, Zhao Qingyan already knew Jessica, so it’s normal for them to be WeChat friends.

Tianwang Hacker: Heh, showing off blindly (contempt)

But then, a message suddenly startled Zhang Wei.

“Who is this ‘Tianwang Hacker’?

I don’t remember adding him as a friend.”

He didn’t know this person at all, let alone where they came from.

Zhang Wei: Who are you?

He hastily typed a message, questioning the other party’s identity.

Tianwang Hacker: Heh, you guess (sly smile)

Oh, they’re playing this game with me?

Zhang Wei: You guess if I will guess?

Tianwang Hacker: You guess if I guess you’ll guess?

Zhang Wei: Not guessing, delete and no thanks!

Tianwang Hacker: You dare, missy will come downstairs and beat you to death!

Zhang Wei: Come downstairs?

You are Zhao Xiaoxiao!

[Tianwang Hacker has retracted a message.]

Zhang Wei: Think retraction will help you?

So it was that person from upstairs~

Zhang Wei immediately updated the person’s nickname in his contacts, but didn’t actually delete her.

Although curious about when Zhao Xiaoxiao added him on WeChat, knowing her identity made things easier.

Zhao Xiaoxiao seemed to have gone offline, but since they lived under the same roof, there was no problem getting in touch.

Zhang Wei was about to leave when another WeChat notification popped up.

Luo Xiaobu: Zhang Wei, congratulations on passing the judicial examination!

By the way, are you going to attend the graduation ceremony in January?

Zhang Wei: Graduation ceremony?

Luo Xiaobu: Yes, the school sent a notice, asking us to attend the graduation ceremony next month.

There will be many people from law firms in Dongfang Capital there.

It’s a tradition of the Law School to offer us job opportunities through the ceremony (expectant)

Zhang Wei: Oh, I see.

Luo Xiaobu: Ah, this great lawyer is considering who to bring as my date.

How about finding a flight attendant from the Aerospace College next door?

Lawyer and flight attendant, doesn’t that sound like a good match?

Zhang Wei’s mouth twitched slightly, finding himself rather speechless.

He hadn’t even got the certificate yet, and here Luo Xiaobu was already assuming the persona of a great lawyer and talking about finding a flight attendant from the Aerospace College.

Would a flight attendant be interested in him?

But it wasn’t impossible.

After all, Luo Xiaobu was a local from Dongfang Capital, and his family reportedly had property in Central City, Dongfang Capital—such substantial assets could indeed make up for what he lacked in other areas.

Knowing Luo Xiaobu as a bit of a show-off, Zhang Wei could only imagine how he’d brag if he really hooked up with a flight attendant.

“Looks like I need to find a date too.”

When he thought of finding a date, the first name that came to mind was Xia Qianyue.

He immediately sent her a message.

Zhang Wei: Next month, there’s going to be a graduation ceremony.

May I, a mere mortal, have the honor of inviting the celestial Xia to accompany me?

Xia Qianyue: What celestial, Zhang Wei when did you become so slick?

Are you looking for a beating (fist)

Zhang Wei: Don’t misunderstand, noble heroine, I am very much a good citizen~

Xia Qianyue: Hmph!

Xia Qianyue: You’re inviting me to the graduation ceremony, is that for real?

Zhang Wei: Of course (nodding seriously)

Xia Qianyue: Let’s get one thing straight, I’m agreeing because you invited me!

Seeing Xia Qianyue’s somewhat tsundere response, Zhang Wei smiled faintly.

Xia Qianyue: But there is one condition…

But soon, Silly’s next message made Zhang Wei’s smile immediately freeze.

Silly was actually bargaining now?

Zhang Wei: Heroine, please speak, your humble servant will not hesitate to die a thousand deaths (strive).

Xia Qianyue: You don’t need to die, just come to my house for a meal before Chinese New Year, and let my parents meet you.

Zhang Wei: Isn’t it a bit too soon to meet the parents-in-law?

Xia Qianyue: What are you talking about, Zhang Wei, go die!!!

(fist) (fist) (fist)

Zhang Wei: Heroine, spare my life, but if I may be so bold to ask, wasn’t this your idea?

Xia Qianyue: Then I’ll take it as your agreement, I will notify you of the time later, hmph!

After sending that, Xia Qianyue went offline, while Zhang Wei stared at the chat window, somewhat dazed.

He had not expected Xia Qianyue to actually ask him to meet her parents.

The thought of meeting Xia Qianyue’s elders filled Zhang Wei’s heart with a bit of anticipation.

“Oh ya, it’s time to head out!”

He had spent the morning tinkering with WeChat and had delayed quite a bit of time.

It was time for him to set off.

Walking out of Lin Mansion’s gate, he happened to see Zhao Qingyan watering the plants in the neighboring courtyard.

This struck Zhang Wei as odd because it wasn’t the weekend, so Zhao Qingyan wouldn’t normally be at Zhao Mansion.

“Xiao Zhang, Xiao Zhang!”

This time, however, Zhao Qingyan called out directly to Zhang Wei.

“Uncle Zhao, what’s up?”

“What else could it be?

This!”

With that, Zhao Qingyan handed an envelope to Zhang Wei.

Zhang Wei noticed that Zhao Qingyan also had an envelope in his hand, and the mailing address was the city court of Dongfang Capital.

“Jury summons?” Seeing the content of the letter, Zhang Wei was at a loss for words.

Weren’t lawyers, including those studying law, exempt from jury duty?

How had he received such a letter?

“It seems the jury system has been modified, and now anyone who isn’t a practicing lawyer can be a juror.

I’ve served as a juror once before, and this is now my second time!” Zhao Qingyan said with a chuckle as he looked at the envelope.

It turned out that he had returned to Zhao Mansion because he received a jury summons from the city court, and Zhang Wei had been summoned as well.

“The city court convenes jurors by randomly selecting from certain districts.

This time it’s our neighborhood around Sifang Gate Street, with about a reserve of 50 people or so.

Shall we go together?”

“Sure, I’ll tag along with Uncle Zhao today.”

Zhang Wei thought about it and realized he also had to visit the city court, so he might as well hitch a ride.

“Okay, I’ll call the driver!”

Zhao Qingyan took out his mobile phone to make a call.

However, instead of using a ride-hailing service, he directly called the driver provided by his company.

As a senior technician, Zhao Qingyan truly lived up to his title, with Blacksmith Technology even providing him with a personal driver and a luxury car worth a million.

Soon, a black business car parked on the central street of Sifang Gate Street.

Zhao Qingyan and Zhang Wei got in the car and headed straight for the city court.

…

Dongfang Capital, City Court.

The city court of Dongfang Capital was located in the inner ring of the city center.

When Zhang Wei and Zhao Qingyan arrived there, they saw a constant stream of people coming in and out of the grand entrance of the city court.

Zhang Wei lifted his head, looking up at the majestic and vast building.

After all, this place could very well be his main battlefield in the future.

The city court’s building covered more than ten thousand square meters, rising to ten stories high, featuring two large courtrooms, four medium-sized courtrooms, nine small courtrooms, ten mediation rooms, over ninety offices, and more than ten conference rooms of various sizes.

There was even a family court inside.

The building was stately and spacious, with a scientifically rational layout and fully equipped facilities.

“Not bad!”

As someone accustomed to courthouses, Zhang Wei considered Dongfang Capital Court to be quite satisfactory.

At least the exterior of the building was pretty, and the facilities inside met modern standards, not the kind that would make someone visit once and not want to come a second time.

Of course, for many citizens, they would probably hope never to have to visit a court in their lifetime.

“The court asked us to go to the small courtroom on the third floor; it doesn’t seem like a major case!”

After asking one of the court security guards, Zhao Qingyan learned their destination.

Zhang Wei nodded, following Zhao Qingyan into city court.

The lobby of the city court was grandiose, with a five-meter tall ceiling.

Although not as luxurious as the United Financial Building, the two places had different natures.

Entering here, one always felt a sense of oppression, a natural reverence for justice that ordinary people have.

“Junior Brother Zhang Wei!”

While Zhang Wei was looking around, a female voice called out to him.

The only person who could call him “junior brother” was…

“So it’s my senior sister!”

Zhang Wei turned around, smiling and greeting the newcomer.

It was none other than Zhang Hui, his defeated opponent in the campus court.

At that moment, Zhang Hui seemed to have stepped out of the shadow of her defeat, exuding confidence in her professional attire.

“Junior brother, did you come to the city court to…”

“No, I was summoned to serve as a juror!”

Zhang Wei spread his hands, somewhat helpless.

“A juror?

I see…” Zhang Hui revealed a look of realization,

“Senior sister, what about you?

Didn’t you join Yongjie Law Firm?

A year has passed, you must have gotten your practice certificate by now.

Why are you still coming to the city court?”

“I, well, it’s all because I lost to you back then, which is why I thought of coming to the city court to improve myself!”

As Zhang Hui spoke, she glanced wistfully at Zhang Wei.

Who would have thought that she, a graduate, would be defeated by a junior?

Therefore, Zhang Hui, determined to strive harder, chose to come to the city court to gain trial experience.

The first place she chose to start was the “bail court”, where every case was processed quickly, and what was trained here was the ability to think on one’s feet.

“Luckily, the firm approved me to come to the bail court for training.

Although I won’t encounter any major cases, facing off against the procurators from Dongfang Capital is satisfaction enough for me!”

With that, Zhang Hui waved to Zhang Wei with high spirits, “Since you’re going to be a juror, I won’t bother you.

I look forward to facing off against you again, junior brother!”

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

“Goodbye, senior sister!”

Zhang Hui went to the first floor’s bail court, while Zhang Wei, after she left, shook his head in private.

“The bail court, huh?

Actually, you don’t get much training there, because the Procuratorate’s Office wouldn’t possibly assign strong prosecutors to serve in the bail court?”

Training newbies is a process all institutions must go through, whether it’s law firms or the Procuratorate’s Office.

After all, no one is born a lawyer; everyone has their rookie phase.

Thus, the bail court and the light offenses department are the places where the prosecution trains their newcomers.

It doesn’t help much in honing actual trial skills to spar with these rookies from the Procuratorate’s Office.

Unfortunately, she didn’t know the ins and outs of it.

If you really wanted to improve your skills, Zhang Wei’s advice would be to become a public defender and take on some pro bono criminal cases.

That’s a far better training ground than the bail court.

But then you’d be facing the real prosecutors from Dongfang Capital Procuratorate’s Office, not the rookie prosecutors from the bail court.

“Oh well, I don’t have much to do with these senior sisters anyway.

I’ll leave her be.”

Zhang Wei shook his head and followed Zhao Qingyan to the small courtroom on the third floor, the venue for the trial they were summoned for.

…

Meanwhile,

In the bail court.

Zhang Hui approached a despondent-looking young man.

“The prosecution asks for a bail of ten thousand yuan,”

“Ten thousand?!” The young man suddenly looked up, shocked by the number.

His eyes were bloodshot, his expression utterly forlorn, “I’m just a factory worker; how can I have ten thousand yuan?

Besides, I didn’t hit anyone, I was the one who was beaten, I’m innocent!”

“Sorry, but since you were all involved in the brawl, you’re co-defendants.

However, they hired private defense attorneys and are already out on bail.

The prosecution considers you a flight risk, hence the bail amount is set at ten thousand yuan.”

Zhang Hui spoke, glancing at the prosecutor’s seat next door, where a freckled, shy-looking girl with black-framed glasses sat.

“I don’t have ten thousand yuan, I just came to Dongfang Capital to see my wife.

Why do I have to pay so much money?

The thugs were the ones who hit me; it’s unjust!”

Zhang Hui had seen many like him and said coldly, “If you don’t want to pay the bail, you don’t have to, but you’ll go to jail.”

“But, but I have to go to work next Monday.

If I don’t go back, I’ll lose my job, how can this be…”

At the words “go to jail,” the young man’s face suddenly changed.

“The prosecution just gave me a condition.

If you plead guilty, the fine is reduced to 500 yuan plus 72 hours of community service.

You won’t have to go to jail, and it won’t affect your job, so you keep your work.

What do you think of this offer?”

Zhang Hui urged him, and the young man hesitated.

Knowing she needed to press harder, she continued.

“Either pay the bail or accept the prosecution’s terms.

If you don’t pay, you’ll go to jail.

The choice is in your hands now!”

Ultimately, the young man heaved a sigh, slumped down, and made his decision.

“I choose to plead guilty…”