Chapter 8: The Courtroom Proceedings
He could no longer endure it.
Li Mo narrowed his eyes and stared fixedly at Su Bai, wondering why this lawyer was so troublesome and from which law faculty he had graduated.
Not only were the litigation claims groundless, but after he had spoken a single sentence, the opposing lawyer had immediately applied for his removal from the courtroom.
Removal from the courtroom meant that one's conduct had influenced the court or the opposing party and that one must temporarily leave the courtroom.
It was evident that his previous remarks had not interfered with the opposing party at all.
Yet the opposing lawyer had still made such an application.
Li Mo exhaled deeply and comforted himself by thinking that the litigation claims of the lawyer before him were entirely unsupported and had already interfered with the normal judicial process.
If the opposing party could not produce evidence, then he would face detention or even criminal detention.
Not only would he directly prevail in this litigation, but Nandu Bank would also prevail in the contest of public opinion, and therefore there was no need to be angry.
Li Mo gradually calmed down.
On the judicial bench, Yu Caixia frowned slightly and issued a warning.
"Lawyer Su Bai for the plaintiff, as the presiding judge I have the duty to make a further confirmation."
"With regard to the litigation claims you have submitted, if there is no factual basis or legal basis for your arguments, then according to the provisions of criminal law, making false statements in court will result in prosecution by the procuratorial authorities for the crime of false litigation and criminal responsibility will be pursued according to law. Are you certain that there is no problem with your litigation claims?"
At the side, Li Xuezhen's face showed slight perspiration from nervousness, and she wished to tug at Su Bai's sleeve to ask him to remain calm.
However, Su Bai nodded very seriously.
"Presiding Judge, I understand the consequences of making false statements, and I take responsibility for all my statements in court."
A murmur immediately arose in the courtroom.
The gavel sounded twice.
"Please maintain order."
Yu Caixia struck the gavel and continued.
"Very well, since you confirm your litigation claims, the defendant Nandu Bank is now invited to present its defense and litigation claims."
The opportunity to respond had arrived.
Li Mo, as the lawyer representing Nandu Bank, straightened his posture slightly and read out his defense and litigation claims.
"Our defense opinions are as follows."
"First, with respect to the accusation brought by the plaintiff, namely the party of Wang Li, against our side Nandu Bank, we request that all claims be rejected and that such improper conduct be dealt with seriously and punished strictly in order to maintain respect for the law."
"Second, we request that the judgments of the first instance and the second instance of the Nandu Primary Court and the Nandu Intermediate Court be upheld."
"Third, we request that the plaintiff compensate our side fully for the reputational losses caused to us in the amount of five hundred thousand yuan."
"Fourth, we request that the plaintiff bear all legal fees incurred by our side."
"Presiding Judge, my defense and claims are concluded."
Li Mo completed the presentation of the defense opinions and litigation claims.
The gavel sounded.
"The litigation claims of both parties have now been presented. The plaintiff is now invited to present the relevant factual and legal grounds."
As Yu Caixia finished speaking, everyone's attention focused upon Su Bai, because the litigation claims of the plaintiff had appeared excessively extraordinary.
Whether those present in the courtroom or those watching the live broadcast of the hearing, all directed their attention toward Su Bai in order to see what factual and legal grounds he would present.
Li Xuezhen, as Su Bai's assistant, felt her palms covered with nervous perspiration. "Lawyer Su, what should we do now? Do we have evidentiary grounds?"
"No, do we really have evidentiary grounds?"
Li Xuezhen repeatedly reviewed the litigation materials in her hands.
Su Bai.
What kind of question was this?
As an intern lawyer in the firm, was she still worried about this at such a stage?
Su Bai took the materials from Li Xuezhen's hands and spoke calmly.
"Presiding Judge, before submitting the relevant legal grounds, I request that my client describe the circumstances of the incident."
The gavel sounded.
"The application is approved. The party concerned is now invited to describe the circumstances of the incident."
At the seat of the party concerned, Wang Li slowly stood up.
Looking at the two judicial police officers beside him, he appeared somewhat nervous.
When his gaze fell upon Su Bai, his mood gradually became calmer.
"Presiding Judge, I would like to drink some water."
"Permission granted."
After Yu Caixia spoke, a judicial police officer handed Wang Li a bottle of water.
After drinking, Wang Li's nervousness was completely relieved, and he began to speak.
"The circumstances of the incident were very simple. At that time my father was in the intensive care unit and urgently needed money. I went to Nandu Bank to withdraw money, but the bank staff refused because I was not the account holder, and they required my father to come personally to the bank or to produce proof that I was my father's son, and even the household registration booklet was not accepted."
"I remember that while I was arguing with the bank staff, a group of robbers suddenly entered the bank and robbed it, and one of the robbers noticed me sitting on the ground crying and gave me a portion of the stolen money."
"Then I took the money to the hospital to pay the medical expenses."
Su Bai raised his hand.
"Presiding Judge, I request permission to ask my client several detailed questions."
The gavel sounded twice.
"The lawyer for the party concerned is permitted to question the party concerned regarding relevant details of the case, but questions unrelated to the case or leading questions regarding subjective intent are not permitted."
"Understood, Presiding Judge."
After obtaining Yu Caixia's approval, Su Bai asked:
"May I ask the party concerned whether you participated in the robbery at that time?"
"No."
"Then can you describe in detail the circumstances under which the robbers handed the money to you?"
Wang Li frowned slightly and tried to recall.
"At that time I remember that one robber of short stature saw me sitting on the ground crying with my head in my hands and scolded me for being cowardly and asked why I was so frightened, and I told him that my father was hospitalized and that I had been unable to withdraw money and was worried about my father, which was why I was crying."
"That robber also seemed to be robbing the bank in order to obtain money to save a family member, and after hearing about my situation he took out two bundles of money and placed them in my arms."
Su Bai continued to ask:
"And then what happened? After the robber placed the money in your arms, what did you do first?"
Wang Li answered quickly. "At that time I remember very clearly that I did not dare to accept the money at first because I was very frightened. Later the robber scolded me and said that I was an unfilial son, and then I accepted the money."
"Very well. Thank you for your cooperation, Presiding Judge. Our questioning has been completed."
The gavel sounded.
Yu Caixia looked toward the plaintiff's counsel table.
"The lawyer for the plaintiff has completed questioning. You may now proceed with your legal explanation."
"Understood, Presiding Judge."
Su Bai slowly took out from the materials the key issues raised by the public prosecution in the first instance.
"Presiding Judge, this is the public prosecution's statement of issues and the determination of criminal liability presented during the first instance at the Nandu Primary Court. I believe that there are many problems in this judgment and many unreasonable aspects that have caused serious harm to our client."