The beginning was serious, and the opposite side was scared by me and called the police!

Chapter 283 Don't panic, this will give us a big advantage
When the court gave him the final jury list...

He was actually very surprised.

From what he learned, Qin Mu would never make such a low-level mistake.

Of the twelve jurors, eleven were religious.

The case was clearly against them.

but……

After thinking about it carefully, he was relieved again.

Most of the people in Ames City are from a religious background, and few have no faith.

Maybe the other party has also screened out many times.

But it did not filter out those who did not believe in religion.

after all……

These jury lists are randomly selected by the court.

Believe in religion or not, it is not the other party's final say.

"That's good. With them here, no matter how strong the opponent is...we won't lose."

After hearing this, Xu Liming breathed a sigh of relief.

murmured.

According to the provisions of the jury system, only when all members of the jury make a unanimous verdict can the verdict become effective.

Even if there is an accident...

They couldn't win over a dozen jurors, but they didn't lose the case either.

for them.

Losing a lawsuit is so hard, almost impossible.

Even if you can't win the case today, it's a big deal to have a new trial.

"Boom-"

It's exactly eleven o'clock.

The judge led the trial team and formally entered the courtroom.

The gavel was struck.

The judge in charge of the trial...

It was the old judge who presided over the pre-trial meeting before, with gray hair and a peaceful face.

"Today, the First Civil Tribunal of the Arms City Court will formally hear the case of Xu Liming v. Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua's donation dispute. Anthony Martin and the jury will jointly hear the case."

He scanned the crowd below.

The old voice kept echoing in the court.

"Before the formal trial, the participants in both parties are invited to take an oath in turn."

talking.

Then he turned his gaze to Xu Liming in the plaintiff's seat.

Seeing this, Xu Liming quickly stood up.

He took the Bible from the clerk and put one hand on it.

At the same time, he said sternly: "I do solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

Done.

Then he handed over the Bible to George beside him.

George took the Bible, also very pious.

Put your hand on it, and said loudly: "I swear by almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

The two finished the move.

The clerk took the Bible and walked up to Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua in the dock.

Handed the book to the two of them.

Zhang Qingyuan was at a loss when he saw this scene.

He and Feng Cuihua stared with big eyes.

The four eyes are bewildered.

"This... this... what does this mean? There is no such process in China?"

a time.

He was a little overwhelmed.

As a generation of celebrities in Jincheng.

He has participated in countless court trials, big and small, and he claims to have seen a lot of the world.

But this...

He had never met it before, and he didn't know what Xu Liming and the others were doing with their hands on a book.

He also didn't understand a single word of the bird's language.

Without any choice.

He could only look at the "portable translator" Chen Tiankuo.

At the bar.

Chen Tiankuo coughed softly, and explained this link to Zhang Qingyuan.

This is the oath stage of the participants in the proceedings before the trial.

Lay your hands on the Bible and swear to God that what you say in court is true and reliable.

"And swear to their God?"

Zhang Qingyuan became even more upset after hearing this, with a face full of reluctance.

He lived most of his life.

I have never believed in God, but I still have to swear to God.

aside.

Qin Mu looked at Lao Zhang's reluctance, and explained with a smile: "This has nothing to do with belief, it is a fixed part of the legal system abroad. The oath of religious belief is different from the oath of non-belief."

"You can also choose not to take the oath."

Just now.

Xu Liming and George took the oath on the Bible respectively, but the words of the oath were different.

Xu Liming took an oath of not believing in religion, while George took an oath of believing in religion.

Belief or not...

can be sworn.

The reason why this link exists is to ensure that what all litigation participants say in court is the truth.

But actually...

This way of taking an oath is at most somewhat binding on those who are devout and religious.

After all, they are swearing to their beliefs, and such people rarely violate their beliefs.

But to those who have no faith...

But it has no binding force, and the oath is only a superficial form.

Also.

The parties may also request that they do not want to participate in the oath taking, and the court will allow it.

only……

In the acquiescence of the court, the validity of the words spoken by the parties who have not taken oath will be discounted to a certain extent.

and so.

Most of the time, if not necessary, both parties will swear to the Bible.

"It's okay? Then I won't swear!"

After hearing Qin Mu's explanation, Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua quickly expressed their opinions.

They have no liking for the so-called Bible, and do not want to swear by it.

in their traditional thinking.

The oath is only issued on that very important occasion.

Death and life are broad, and Zicheng said.

It's an oath.

If you don't keep your promise, you may be struck by lightning!

They don't want to swear when they don't have to.

And aside.

Chen Tiankuo looked at Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua, a little surprised: "You...don't take oaths yet?"

He has been in this country for more than ten years.

I am well aware of this oath link.

This link...

Although it has become superficial and formalized, it has not been cancelled.

When he represents other people's cases as a lawyer, he always chooses to take an oath.

This is more important to the effectiveness of their testimony.

Although he also disliked this kind of swearing-in process, his reason told him that he still had to swear an oath.

however……

Qin Mu waved his hand, not paying attention at all: "It's okay, you don't have to take the oath, this will give us a big advantage."

Followed by.

Looking at the clerk again, he said to him, "We will not take an oath this time."

After hearing this, the clerk was even more surprised and shocked.

But didn't say much.

He just retracted the Bible and returned to his seat.

And Chen Tiankuo saw this scene.

I only feel my scalp tingling, and I always feel that Qin Mu is a little bit confident.

This is obviously a big disadvantage, okay?

Of the twelve members of the jury, eleven of them are devout believers and have faith.

And their case...

Another dispute over donations to the church.

Obviously the situation is extremely unfavorable to them.

Where does this come from?

Qin Mu, however, was so reckless, and made a move not to take an oath before the trial!

He looked a little terrified.

"Boom-"

at the same time.

in court.

The old judge Anthony rapped the gavel and took a deep look at Qin Mu.

Slowly said: "Next, the case will be officially heard in court."

"All the participants in the lawsuit below, you have the right to remain silent or refuse to answer the questions in this case, but your words or actions will be judged by me and the jurors here."

"Now, the plaintiff, Xu Liming, is invited to read out the indictment."

Subsequently.

He looked at Xu Liming.

The voice did not fall.

Xu Liming stood up quickly.

Holding a copy of the complaint in his hand, he read out in a deep voice: "When our sunset red travel company was providing travel services for tourists Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua, two old people passed by the local church..."

In front of many members of the court.

He launched a complaint, explaining the bad behavior of Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua.

in his description.

Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua learned about the donations when they visited the local church.

Then took the initiative to find him.

Signed the donation agreement.

but……

When the signing was over and the donation was required to be paid, the two suddenly turned their faces.

Denial of donations.

They also beat back, claiming that they used coaxing and deception to trick them into signing.

Trying to use this as an excuse to deny donations.

Originally, they didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so they found Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua several times.

But the two of them ate the weight and became determined.

No oil and salt.

Life and death refused to pay donations.

Without any choice.

They chose the last resort and brought Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua to court.

"Here, as a vulnerable group, we just want to ask the other party to fulfill the obligations stipulated in the donation agreement, pay donations to the local church, and compensate us another 3 yuan in liquidated damages, mental damage, lost wages, etc."

Xu Liming stood upright and spoke impassionedly.

Acting like a victim.

"I hope that the court, judges, and jurors can give us a notarized result, so that justice can be demonstrated, and the light of the Lord can shine on the world."

At last.

He also made a church gift with a sincere attitude.

The people of the jury...

Seeing his actions, they all nodded.

Thinking that his personality is incomparably great, he followed him and made an "Amen" gift.

a time.

The twelve jurors seemed to have all been won over.

And on the side of the dock.

When Chen Tiankuo saw this scene, he became anxious for a moment, and his face turned pale.

According to the trial process, the plaintiff speaks first.

And Xu Liming's speech and performance...

Undoubtedly won the inclinations of the twelve jurors, who were incomparably supportive and sympathetic to him.

Just started.

The trial situation was extremely unfavorable to them.

It is not an exaggeration to say that it is worse.

That's it……

Qin Mu just said that this time is a big advantage match.

"What did he say just now? What are these jurors nodding for?"

in the dock.

Zhang Qingyuan looked blankly at the jurors who kept nodding behind him, and couldn't help asking.

What Xu Liming spoke just now was in a foreign language.

He didn't understand at all.

But his intuition told him that the situation was not good.

Chen Tiankuo sighed.

Continue to act as an interpreter honestly, and explain Xu Liming's lawsuit words that turned black and white.

"That little bastard!"

After Zhang Qingyuan heard this, his chest rose and fell with anger.

Trembling all over.

The crutch in his hand was involuntarily clenched tightly.

Staring at Xu Liming in the plaintiff's seat.

Compared with the pre-trial conference, Xu Liming's lawsuit this time was sharper, directly turning black and white, and discrediting them.

Under preconceived notions.

The group of jurors who didn't know the truth were undoubtedly taken out of rhythm.

Just like at home.

As soon as things spread on the Internet, people who don't know the truth will come out one after another.

Keep pulling and stepping.

"Boom-"

in court.

After Xu Liming finished speaking, the old judge Anthony looked at Zhang Qingyuan: "Next, let the defendant respond to the plaintiff's complaint."

"Please note that you can make an affirmative plea as well as a negative plea. If you make an affirmative plea, the jury will be abolished in this case."

He just finished.

Chen Tianku on the lawyer's seat translated these two sentences and told Zhang Qingyuan.

Zhang Qingyuan heard the words.

The anger and excitement eased a little.

Taking a deep breath, he said in a deep voice, "I'm going to make a denial defense!"

Qin Mu explained this process to him in detail yesterday.

into two directions.

In civil litigation, it refers to the admission or denial of the plea.

Once approved...

The jury will be dismissed according to law, and the judge will continue to hear the case.

And in criminal proceedings.

A plea of ​​guilty or a plea of ​​denial of guilt.

Once pleaded guilty...

The jury will also be abolished and the judge will conduct a separate trial.

in this link.

Of course, it is impossible for him to agree to the other party's accusation, and he must defend his reputation.

"What the plaintiff just said is simply nonsense!"

He first glared at Xu Liming fiercely, and let out a bad breath.

Then he looked down at the manuscript in his hand.

The manuscript was prepared by Qin Mu for him.

Above is his statement of defense.

"I participated in the sunset red tour group and traveled across the country. After arriving in the local area, I went to a certain church to play."

"During the tour, the people in their tour group suddenly took out an agreement, saying that they can sign and receive free travel souvenirs."

"It's written in foreign languages. How can we old people know so much?"

"I heard that you can pick up things, and everyone in the tour group has signed."

"After signing."

"They found us suddenly and said they wanted me to make a donation!"

"It's not just me. The other elderly people in our tour group were cheated by them. They paid 2 yuan each, and they all paid the money under pressure."

"Only I didn't pay, so I became a defendant and was sued by them!"

Speaking of it.

He gritted his teeth with hatred, and felt more and more that there were really many routines in this world.

I have learned from Qin Mu for so long.

He thought that he had seen too many routines and would not be deceived again.

did not expect……

Xu Liming taught him another lesson.

He took a deep breath, turned around and glanced at the jury behind him.

Then he said: "Besides that, this sunset red tour group is very dark. A bottle of mineral water sells for 100 yuan, and a bottle of oxygen sells..."

According to the defense that Qin Mu listed, he told all the evil deeds of the sunset red tour group.

And beside him.

Chen Tiankuo kept opening his mouth and translated his words simultaneously.

Constantly reverberating through the live courtroom.

His defense and Xu Liming's indictment...

There are two completely different versions.

Diametrically opposed.

After hearing this, the jury below the court all got together and started whispering.

"This is a dispute between two foreigners? But which one should I believe?"

"For a donation of 2 yuan, if he doesn't want to give it, then don't sign it. Would you regret it after signing everything?"

"I'm more inclined to the plaintiff. His attitude towards the Lord is so pious that he is not likely to be able to do such a thing."

"The plaintiff said that he was helping the church to donate money, but the defendant's old man has always refused to donate, even without taking an oath. It is clear at a glance who is right and who is wrong."

"This kind of thing often happens in Arms City. I have seen similar cases before, and suddenly regretted after donating."

"His service to the Lord is really too impious. Lord, forgive the ignorance of your believers. He is just an old lamb who has lost his way. Sooner or later, he will find the right way to heaven."

"..."

Twelve jurors heard different versions.

Just hesitated for a moment.

So he completely leaned towards the plaintiff Xu Liming's side, thinking that Xu Liming was unlikely to lie.

Instead, it was Zhang Qingyuan and the two old men...

They didn't even dare to take the oath, which shows that they felt ashamed about this matter and dared not swear.

normal people.

Dare to swear to the Supreme, Great and Almighty Lord.

Only those who have lied will be so taboo.

"quiet!"

in court.

Hearing the noisy voices of the crowd, the judge immediately scolded with a straight face.

interrupted the whispering of these jurors.

in fact.

Most of each batch of jurors are selected for the first time.

Although some bailiffs had educated them on discipline before the trial, it was inevitable that some people couldn't help but discuss the case.

In every court hearing, he had to reprimand a few words.

After the scene quieted down.

He took a deep breath and looked at the twelve "judges" on the jury.

He reminded: "Next, we will enter the link of proof for both parties. Both the plaintiff and the defendant are obliged to present corresponding evidence for their own claims."

"The constitutive elements of the plaintiff's proof need to conform to the factual basis, not violate the logic and common sense, and not infringe on the legitimate rights and interests of others..."

in the jury system.

Because the cultural level of many jurors is uneven, coupled with insufficient legal knowledge.

He needs to tell these jurors some legal knowledge before and during the trial.

Ask them to measure the specific circumstances of the case against this legal knowledge.

Instead of simply judging based on personal likes and dislikes.

A full 5 minutes.

He just told these jurors some simple legal knowledge points.

only……

Each of these jurors seemed to be listening to a bible, with a slightly dull expression.

I don't know if I understood what he said.

And in the dock.

Chen Tiankuo also translated the judge's behavior to Zhang Qingyuan.

Zhang Qingyuan listened.

With an open-eyed look, he couldn't help complaining: "This jury system is really tasteless, and the judge needs to teach legal knowledge on the spot?"

Even an outsider can see it.

The jury system is too superficial, typical formalism.

Let a group of people who are not very educated and have no contact with legal knowledge to judge other people...

The name is to let citizens have the right to judge.

Actually.

It is unfair to both parties.

He has always felt that professional things should be left to professional people.

This kind of...

It feels a bit like a dog meddling with a mouse.

And the lawyer's seat.

Seeing this scene, Qin Mu felt the same way.

This is the first time he has participated in a trial with a jury, and he also feels that the system is not perfect.

Although foreign countries have been making up and balancing in various aspects, there are also many loopholes.

but.

One advantage of this system is that when encountering certain cases that can be accepted by morals and human feelings, but cannot be tolerated by the law...

Juries can go beyond the law and give a verdict that is generally acceptable to a society.

For example, some mother humiliation cases and revenge cases.

"Boom-"

in court.

After imparting "legal knowledge", the old judge Anthony went on to preside over: "Next, the plaintiff is asked to provide corresponding evidence for your claim just now."

This is a civil case.

Any party has the right and obligation to provide corresponding evidence for its claims.

The court does not interfere in any evidence-related matters.

The evidence of both parties shall be collected by both parties themselves, as long as it is reasonable and legal.

And what they do...

It is based on these evidences to judge and restore the facts, and to make a notarized judgment.

at the same time.

Plaintiff's side.

George stood up, produced a piece of evidence, and presented it to the clerk.

He said loudly: "Dear judge, here is the notarized authentication certificate we conducted on the handwriting trace inspection of the donation agreement, which is sufficient to prove that the handwriting is indeed the abbreviation of Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua, and there is no sign of coercion."

"This is enough to prove that the other party signed the agreement willingly and voluntarily."

Speaking of it.

He paused for a moment, and took a peek at Qin Mu.

It was found that Qin Mu's expression was as usual.

So he took a deep breath, and took out another piece of evidence: "Here is the relevant news that our client searched for Zhang Qingyuan from the country where he is located. Extremely cruel..."

"This is enough to show that Zhang Qingyuan is not an honest old man. He has a history of lying and defrauding before."

Then go on.

He produced another piece of evidence and presented it to the clerk.

"Here are the details of the donation payment bills of other elderly people in the sunset red tour group. The remaining 20 elderly people have all paid, but Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua have not paid!"

"I would like to ask, if we coaxed them to sign, why did everyone else pay? Are they all fools? Or are only Zhang Qingyuan and the others smart?"

"here it is……"

"Based on the above evidence, we have reason to believe that Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua on the other side are not very honest, so they backtracked and refused to donate after signing the agreement!"

George threw out several pieces of evidence one after another.

He lashed out at Zhang Qingyuan and Feng Cuihua inside and out.

It even used news materials collected by Xu Liming in China as a basis.

These news materials are all searched on the news, and are not considered to be obtained illegally, so they can be used as evidence to support certain judgments.

For example...

Question Zhang Qingyuan's previous behavior, conduct and so on.

usually.

It is easier for a person with bad conduct to regret after making such a donation.

As for Zhang Qingyuan's information, they can only find it from his domestic news.

Although these are one-sided, they more or less have a reference value.

As long as you can win the trust of the judge or these jurors, or make them lean towards your side...

Then his goal has been achieved!
The balance of the situation is such a little bit of deviation, and finally completely tilted towards them!

(End of this chapter)