Are You Crazy? He's only an Intern Lawyer?-Chapter 31 - No one else can take this case, but I can!

Facing Lin Xiao’s murderous gaze, Zhang Hui felt very apologetic.

However, Zhang Wei didn’t bother with these details.

Instead, he looked at the other party and coldly reminded,

“Mr.

Lin, what you need to think about now is not how to hate my senior sister but how to extricate yourself and how to get rid of the involuntary manslaughter charge.”

“What can I do!”

The latter retorted coldly, anger radiating from his face, “I was working at the factory when I was suddenly taken away by people from the Martial Association, even claiming that I had committed murder.

What can I do?

They handcuffed and took me away, all because I pushed that guy last Thursday night, and now that he’s dead, I’m labeled a murderer, ah!

What can I do, huh?

Tell me!”

As he spoke, he became increasingly agitated, almost to the point of jumping up.

But fortunately, he was indeed handcuffed this time and couldn’t actually jump up.

“You are too agitated, and agitation won’t solve the problem.

Besides, we aren’t here to see you rage impotently!”

Zhang Wei remained calm, watching the other man coldly.

Seeing Zhang Wei’s expression, Lin Xiao’s face darkened, and he asked, “And who are you?”

“Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself.

My name is Zhang Wei; I have been entrusted by senior sister Zhang Hui to be your defense attorney.”

“Defense attorney?”

“Yes, defense attorney.

However, I must inform you that though I am a law student who has passed the bar exam, I have not yet received my professional qualification certificate.

Therefore, I cannot provide paid legal assistance and cannot take on commercial, civil, or international litigation.

Fortunately, your defense is a criminal prosecution, which is excluded.”

Zhang Wei said this and seemed relieved, “Thankfully, the regulations within Dongfang Capital’s legal community provide many provisions for law students like me, which is extremely beneficial.

My participation in your legal proceedings is both legitimate and compliant.

The only question is whether you wish to hire me.”

“You are still a student, barely passed the bar, without even a certificate!”

Although Lin Xiao was not a law student, hearing what Zhang Wei said ignited his anger once again.

“I can’t believe this, you’re just a student.

Are you here to make a joke out of me?”

Lin Xiao erupted in fury, but Zhang Wei simply looked at him calmly.

“I understand how you feel, but understanding is one thing.

If you really don’t need me, then I can only…”

Zhang Wei, seeing no possibility of reaching an agreement with Lin Xiao, was about to leave.

But just then, a duty officer from the Martial Association walked into the visitation room.

“Lin Xiao, your wife is here to see you!”

A woman in a black trench coat entered, accompanied by a man in his 40s wearing a suit.

“Oh, a colleague!” On seeing the man in the suit, Zhang Wei instantly recognized his identity.

The man was also a lawyer!

“Wife!” Lin Xiao stood up abruptly when he saw the woman.

The woman was none other than Lin Xiao’s wife, Chen Lan, and a witness in the case.

But any lawyer knows that testimonies between spouses are not considered credible.

Chen Lan did not respond, but the suited man spoke first, “Mr.

Lin, hello, I am the lawyer hired by your wife, here is my business card.”

He handed Lin Xiao a business card as he spoke.

Zhang Wei sneakily glanced and saw the name “Yu Liang” on the card, without any law firm details.

“An independent lawyer…”

“Lawyer Yu, are you here to help me with the lawsuit?” Upon Yu Liang’s arrival, Lin Xiao seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

“This…” Yu Liang hesitated for a moment, looking at Chen Lan.

Finally, Chen Lan spoke, “Lawyer Yu, since you’re taking my case, I have a request.

Could you also represent my husband?”

Yu Liang, however, appeared troubled, “What is your husband involved in?

I haven’t looked into it yet.”

Seeing this, Zhang Wei understood immediately.

He hastily approached, handed the dossier in his hands to Yu Liang, and with a smile said, “Lawyer Yu, good to see you.

It just so happens I have Mr.

Lin Xiao’s case file here.

Take a look.”

Although Yu Liang was curious about who Zhang Wei was, he still subconsciously took the dossier.

Yet, when he saw the first page, his expression became strained.

“What, Dongfang Capital Procuratorate Headquarters is prosecuting you, and for involuntary manslaughter no less!”

“And you’ve pleaded guilty, how are we supposed to fight this?

Are you joking?”

“My heavens, the prosecution is scheduled for this week, there’s no time to prepare.

Are you playing a joke on me?”

With a series of exclaims, Yu Liang’s face grew increasingly distressed.

“Alas, Lawyer Yu, why does it say on your business card that your office is on the 41st floor of United Financial Building?”

Zhang Wei wasn’t idle either, he picked up Yu Liang’s business card and looked at it again, only to discover some startling information.

“What’s wrong with me having an office at United Financial Building?

What about it!” Yu Liang said, shaking his suit that cost thousands, wearing a look of arrogance.

“But I remember, on the 41st floor of United Financial Building, one company is a bridal photography studio, another is a psychologist’s office.

There’s only one other with legal consultation services, and their main business is divorce litigation…”

Upon hearing this, Lin Xiao’s expression drastically changed, Chen Lan’s face also fluctuated, and Yu Liang’s pupils dilated with surprise.

They could have never expected that Zhang Wei had been to the 41st floor of United Financial Building—not just once but many times—and was very familiar with the businesses of the other two companies there.

But it’s not surprising, after all, a bridal photography studio and a divorce company located right across from each other create such a conflicting visual, it would be hard not to remember.

“Wife, is what he’s saying true?” Lin Xiao couldn’t hold back and immediately questioned.

Chen Lan remained silent, and so did Yu Liang.

“Tell me, is it true?

You want to divorce me, tell me!” Lin Xiao lost control again, his emotions rising.

Fortunately, the handcuffs did their job, and he couldn’t break free.

“Lin Xiao, be quiet!” Outside the meeting room, a person on duty from the Martial Association shouted coldly, pulling the agitated Lin Xiao back to reality.

Seeing Lin Xiao finally calming down, Chen Lan then asked, “Lawyer Yu, my husband’s case, is there any way you can…?”

“Sorry, nobody can win this case!”

Yu Liang flatly denied, “You should just have your husband plead guilty early.

I can talk to the prosecution and see if we can fight for a reduced sentence.

But the opponent is Dongfang Capital Procuratorate Headquarters, not some other district’s office.

Your husband might end up in prison for up to 7 years, without a chance for reduction.”

“Lawyer, are you saying there’s really no way at all?”

“How could there be?

The Procuratorate Headquarters isn’t someone I can provoke.

My main business is divorce litigation, and criminal cases aren’t my strong suit.

You should find a public defender for your husband, maybe they’ll do even better than me.”

Zhang Wei, seizing the opportunity, interjected, “Public defenders typically have to manage 20-30 cases at the same time, so their focus on each case won’t be very high.

If you consider hiring a public defender, you need to be clear about the consequences.”

Possibly sensing an exaggeration in Zhang Wei’s words, Yu Liang immediately refuted, “Not that many, a usual public defender only takes on 10-20 cases at a time.

Those who handle 30 cases are actually the minority.”

That…

was as good as saying nothing.

Whether it’s 30 cases, or 20, or even 10, it all means a public defender won’t focus on a single case.

Chen Lan and Lin Xiao both felt the difficulty of their situation.

“Lawyer Yu…”

“Forget it, I won’t take your case.

You should find someone more capable to represent your husband!”

Unable to tolerate Chen Lan any longer, Yu Liang rose to leave immediately.

“Lawyer Yu, how can you act like this?

I am the client here!”

“But your request is too difficult.

We lawyers have the right to refuse any unreasonable requests from clients.

Asking me to confront the Procuratorate Headquarters is just making things hard for me, isn’t it?”

Yu Liang left without looking back, slamming the door behind him.

Updat𝓮d from freewēbnoveℓ.com.

“This…” Chen Lan watched as Yu Liang left, then glanced at Lin Xiao, momentarily at a loss for words.

“You two, you still have me!” Zhang Wei chimed in at that moment.

He knew it was time to shine.

“You think public defenders are unreliable, and frankly, I agree.

But I’m different from them.

I take on one case at a time.

Why don’t you consider me?”

“The renowned power of Dongfang Capital Procuratorate Headquarters—ask any lawyer and they’d mostly advise your husband to plead guilty; very few lawyers dare to provoke them.

But I am different.

I shall defend Mr.

Lin as innocent.”

“Now, you have three choices, either hire a pro bono lawyer, but they will make you plead guilty, and Mr.

Lin will have to go to prison; or hire me, I will defend you as innocent without charging attorney fees; or do not hire anyone at all, just wait for the prosecution to file charges and sentence you, and Mr.

Lin will definitely have to go to prison…”

“Okay, I’ll hire you as the lawyer!”

Lin Xiao looked at Zhang Wei as if clutching at straws.

“Thank you for trusting me, Mr.

Lin, then let’s sit down and have a good talk.”

“It’s good that your wife is here too, as the first eyewitness to the case, I also want to understand the situation at the time.”

Zhang Wei stayed for a long time during the meeting before leaving.

When he left the Martial Association Detention Center, it was already more than an hour later.

Walking out of the detention center, Zhang Hui’s face was full of worry.

“Junior, what do we do next?”

“What else can we do, stick to the plan, I’ll initiate a pre-trial motion again, submit a request for case withdrawal, but at that time, senior, you’ll need to admit your mistake.”

“I know, I will take the initiative to admit my mistake.”

“However, I think it’s unlikely because prosecutors from the minor offense division rarely handle serious crime cases.

I estimate they won’t give up on this lawsuit!”

“Then, what should we do?”

“Of course, we deal with it as it comes, water flows and dirt covers.

It’s just right to see how capable Prosecutor Tan Yingying is!”

Zhang Wei said, his eyes sparkling with a certain luster.

…

The next day.

Dongfang Capital City Court, small courtroom on the 3rd floor.

Zhang Wei arrived at the courtroom early in the morning, to his surprise, people from the Procuratorate Headquarters were also there.

Inside the courtroom, Tan Yingying sat at the prosecutor’s seat, with a girl beside her.

“Sister Baihe, that’s him!” Tan Yingying saw Zhang Wei coming in and quickly spoke to the girl beside her.

The next moment, Zhang Wei felt a chill coming over him.

He saw the girl beside Tan Yingying turn around, a pair of cold, piercing eyes stared at Zhang Wei as if her gaze was a sharp blade, intending to penetrate him.

“Such cold killing intent, does this woman see me as an enemy?!”

Feeling the momentum, Zhang Wei understood.

But his expression was fearless, and instead, he sized up the girl beside Tan Yingying.

It must be said that the girl was very pretty, tall with a lithe figure, wearing a black uniform, a striking beauty with long straight black hair.

If Xia Qianyue is a youthful and vibrant treasure of a girl, then the girl in front of him is an ice queen, proud as frost and unbending as snow.

“Zhang Wei, you’re here too!” Suddenly, a familiar voice rang from outside the courtroom, Xia Qianyue had come as well.

“Simple-minded, you came to see my trial?”

“No, I came for Xiao Baihe.

I heard she was at the court, so I came over.”

Xia Qianyue said, pointing at the long-haired girl beside Tan Yingying.

“Xiao Baihe, the ace of the serious crime division at the Procuratorate Headquarters!”

Hearing the name Xiao Baihe, Zhang Wei’s face showed understanding.

This person was a rising star in the legal circles of Dongfang Capital.

Anyone involved in criminal defense knew the name.

It seemed that Prosecutor Xiao Baihe was more than familiar with Tan Yingying.

“Xiao Baihe, he is the Zhang Wei I mentioned to you guys, it seems there has been some misunderstanding between you…”

“Actually, it’s not much of a misunderstanding.

Everyone is a stranger only until they meet twice, right?

Isn’t that so, Prosecutor Tan, and the famous Prosecutor Xiao.”

Zhang Wei hurriedly came up and greeted Tan Yingying and Xiao Baihe.

Unfortunately, both were not receptive, Tan Yingying looked away while Xiao Baihe just snorted coldly, even ignoring Xia Qianyue’s greeting.

“Zhang Wei, Xiao Baihe is like this, don’t mind it,” Xia Qianyue pretended to be very magnanimous and waved her hand, even explaining to Zhang Wei.

“I see that now.” Zhang Wei also smiled, took Xia Qianyue aside, and kept a distance from Xiao Baihe.

Although Xia Qianyue didn’t seem to notice anything, Zhang Wei could feel that Xiao Baihe was very cold towards them.

He wasn’t about to press his warm face against someone’s cold butt, not even if she was a beauty with long black hair!

He, Zhang Wei, had his own pride!

“Zhang Wei, you’re going up against Prosecutor Xiao Baihe in court, aren’t you worried about the pressure?

I heard she’s the ace of the Procuratorate Headquarters, if you confront her…”

“Silly, don’t worry, this time my opponent is Prosecutor Tan Yingying, Xiao Baihe isn’t the chief lawyer for the prosecution.

Even if it were Xiao Baihe, I wouldn’t be afraid of her!”

Zhang Wei showed enough confidence to reassure Xia Qianyue.

Soon, Zhang Hui arrived, and the time for the court session was drawing near.

When the Martial Association escorted Lin Xiao in, and his chess piece Chen Lan also appeared, the trial entered the pre-hearing stage.

“The court now calls Judge Wang to enter!” someone in the courtroom announced loudly.

A gray-haired elderly man dressed in a pure black judge’s robe stepped up to the bench.

“It’s Old Wang!” Seeing the elder, Xiao Baihe’s mouth curved slightly, and a gleam of brightness flashed through her eyes.

Because the judge of this trial was a man who valued tradition, if he believed the defendant was guilty, then the situation would be favorable to the prosecution.

And the defendant had already confessed to the crime!

“Old-fashioned glasses, no other objects on him, considering his age and demeanor, this judge is traditional, like a rigid man, the circumstances are advantageous for me!”

Zhang Wei, likewise observing the judge’s every move, eventually carried a gleam of bright confidence in his eyes.

Very confident indeed!

Both parties were confident.

“Isn’t that Prosecutor Xiao Baihe?

What brings you here?”

After seating himself on the bench, Judge Wang glanced towards the prosecutor’s seat, somewhat surprised.

“Your Honor, I’m just here for support, the star today is my fellow townsman and junior, Prosecutor Tan Yingying, please don’t mind me!” Xiao Baihe quickly offered her modesty while she pushed Tan Yingying forward.

The judge smiled and said, “Asking me to ignore the presence of an ace prosecutor in the courtroom is quite a difficult task.”

But he soon straightened his face and added seriously, “Alright, today we are in the pre-trial stage, you both need to state your defense reasons and explain your defense petitions.

Is there anything you would like to add?”

Tan Yingying picked up the documents in her hand, just about to speak, but Zhang Wei interjected, “Your Honor, my side would like to make a pre-trial motion to dismiss my client’s confession as evidence!”

“Oh?” Judge Wang was indeed surprised, it was not often someone took this approach.

Over at the prosecutor’s bench, Tan Yingying was also startled, quickly looking to Xiao Baihe at her side.

A moment later.

Zhang Hui stood in the witness stand, answering questions from Zhang Wei.

“Senior Zhang Hui, was it you who made the defendant confess?”

“Yes.”

“Did you explain to the defendant that his choices were not limited to confession, but included bail and not guilty defense?”

“I only mentioned bail.”

“Why?”

“Because of the time urgency, I did not inform the defendant of all the options, I only provided selective information.”

“Then, did the prosecution offer any other choices to the defendant, that is, even if he insisted he was innocent, you still ignored this request and just demanded his confession?”

“We did not inform.”

“Did you make the defendant confess to something he didn’t do?”

“I think so, considering the defendant’s situation at the time, I believed it was the best option for him.”

Zhang Wei nodded and turned to the judge, “Your Honor, that was the situation at the time.

We request to withdraw this invalid confession and treat it as inadmissible evidence!”

“Your Honor, the prosecution disagrees!”

Seeing Tan Yingying stand up at Xiao Baihe’s prompt, Zhang Wei, however, was well-prepared for this.