Chapter 350: Chapter 242: Xu Liang, the Moral Blackmailer!

Avoidance...

In ordinary circumstances, Zhao Jiaqi would typically allow both parties involved to recuse themselves from the hearing and then proceed with the trial.

But...

From any perspective, this case cannot be measured by conventional logic!

"Should we approve it?"

On the bench, the three judges gathered together, their brows furrowed as if considering some perplexing issue.

This was the first time they had encountered a lawyer applying for their own recusal!

"No, the defendants don’t have many lawyers," said another judge.

"Although, ordinarily, recusal is needed, the trial has just begun, and since the defendants are not a legal team, any recusal would lead to an adjournment of the case."

"Moreover, a new lawyer must be found for the defendants before the trial can resume, and during this period, the court can only wait..."

Typically, an adjournment is used to verify evidence.

But if a recusal causes an adjournment now, the court can only stare blankly at the walls, unable to do anything!

This wastes too much time; no one on site wants such pointless delay...

However, both parties are currently embroiled in a bribery controversy, even bringing forth witnesses!

The three judges furrowed their brows and began to discuss quietly.

Witnessing this.

The crowd began to murmur, the hum of voices rising subtly.

At the defendant’s seat.

"This..."

Feng Nan’s lips moved, a dazed expression on her face, her hands squeezing each other tightly, fingertips pale, clearly her mind was somewhat chaotic.

She wasn’t an idiot; she understood what "avoidance" meant!

It meant her only lawyer, Xu Liang, would be expelled from the courtroom!

After his expulsion, the case would be adjourned, and a criminal case must have a lawyer to proceed, so it’s most likely they’d find someone for her under the guise of legal aid.

Legal aid... Which law firm in Qingshi City would take it!?

Even if someone took it to gain fame, their ability certainly wouldn’t match this renowned lawyer from Lanshan Province next to her!

As for paid representation... They could only scrape together half a million yuan, and even the most money-hungry lawyer wouldn’t offend Blue Shield Law Firm and the pharmaceutical group for such a sum!

Not everyone has Xu Liang’s courage...

"Don’t worry."

Xu Liang noticed her emotions and comforted her.

He wasn’t afraid of his own recusal.

Why?

Because the case couldn’t afford to be delayed.

It’s not that Xu Liang couldn’t afford delays, nor Blue Shield, but Feng Nan and the others couldn’t!

Adjourning to find a lawyer, allowing the opponent to reinvestigate might take at least two months!

Two months’ time is enough to claim the lives of some Mutual Aid Association patients, and if the trial adjoins and stalls for a year or more... all defendants might die, and what case would there be to try, what would the plaintiff be suing – a bunch of ashes!?

As expected.

On the bench.

"The sooner the case proceeds, the better; the defendants are patients, we cannot waste time!"

"That’s the decision."

Zhao Jiaqi took a deep breath, having made up his mind.

Then, under everyone’s gaze, he slowly began:

"In this trial, we will verify and investigate the witness statements during recess."

"We now postpone handling these contentious points and continue the trial!"

This is... Postpone proceedings!

What does this mean? Its literal meaning!

Just like during exams when the teacher tells you to leave blank what you don’t know and fill in what you know before returning to it.

Courts, under the premise of safeguarding defendants’ rights, pursue efficiency, resulting in this ’postponed proceedings’ approach.

"Tsk."

At the plaintiff’s seat, Sha Jin clicked his tongue and shook his head, with some disappointment in his heart.

If he could exchange himself to employ a pawn strategy against the opponents... then the case could be said to have been won!

What a pity.

At the defendant’s seat, Xu Liang looked at him and smiled, without a trace of worry.

Perhaps after recess, Sha Jin and Chai Shiring might do something to convince the court he indeed committed bribery, leading to his recusal.

But... At least for now, he will not exit the courtroom!

Even a little time... is sufficient for him.

"Both parties continue."

Presiding Judge Zhao Jiaqi rubbed his eye corner, then looked at the defendants.

"Defendant, do you wish to submit new evidence against the allegations?"

Proceedings continue, meaning examination prior to the bribery dispute must proceed.

Xu Liang refuted counterfeit drugs, but... even if the drugs were not fake but generic... it still entails criminal responsibility!

Yet what is his argument?

He is taking a strategy of defending innocence!

"Honorable Presiding Judge."

"Upon reviewing case materials, meeting the client, and verifying related evidence, the defense believes the defendant’s actions to save her own life comply with a special statute in Eastern Country’s criminal law!"

Xu Liang suddenly spoke, and with the drop of his words, everyone paused suddenly.

Special statute?

Eastern Country’s law does have a few such statutes, such as those for mental illness, age 18, etc., that could be applied to this case...

"Article 21 of the Criminal Law!"

"Emergency Defense!!!"

Xu Liang’s eyes suddenly sharpened as he pulled out the document he had prepared in advance, reading word by word:

"The defendant’s actions to save her own life fully comply with this statute!"

"One, the case entails real, imminent life danger, meeting the ’origin requirements’ of emergency defense!"

"Two, the danger is in a continuously occurring state, fulfilling the ’time requirements’ of emergency defense!"

"Three, there is no other legal alternative, meeting the ’necessity requirements’!"

"Additionally, it meets the ’awareness requirements’ and ’limitations requirements’!"

Not bearing criminal responsibility...