Empire of Shadows

Chapter 535: All Troublesome Matters [666+7]

Lance listened attentively as lawyer Robben discussed the specifics of the case, but he wasn't too clear on the developments at the Dangerous Goods Administration.

Lawyer Robben said frankly, "You know, I have some connections at the Department of Justice."

Lance's case in New Gold City was also handled by lawyer Robben. He found a lawyer with a good relationship to help Lance with the lawsuit there, and also pulled some strings at the Department of Justice.

Judicial justice, like the core of national politics in the country of Jinzhou, has been thoroughly corrupted. Even in a case that should be impossible to lose, if they don't find someone, don't find a good lawyer, then they still might lose the lawsuit.

Of course, the federal government has never admitted to being a society ruled by law. From this point of view, they are quite honest.

At least they don't deceive the public, leading them to mistakenly believe that the law is truly the foundation of society and the country.

Lance heavily thanked lawyer Robben for that matter, and naturally knew his efforts and dedication.

Seeing Lance nod, he continued, "I've learned some information through certain channels. Director Dale is actively seeking connections, hoping to find one or two death sentences from this case."

Lance frowned, "This is just a small case!"

That's right, although he hadn't studied law professionally and wasn't a lawyer, he was very clear that as long as they didn't let the prosecution combine them into multiple criminal acts under a "criminal group."

Keeping each case independent, it's just a case involving a bar and a bar operator. Even if they handle it to the fullest extent according to the amendments to the Prohibition Law, it would be at most ten years or more, not exceeding twenty years.

Currently, the federal states have not abolished the death penalty, but reaching the standard for the death penalty is not so easy, unless the criminal suspect has the added bonus of cotton-picking bloodline.

For these immigrants, they would at most be heavily sentenced.

But just like mentioned above, the federal judiciary has a lot of flexibility. If Director Dale really puts in the capital to seek connections, it might really be possible to get some people sentenced to death.

Lawyer Robben pursed his lips, "Dale's current situation is very delicate. So far, the federal government hasn't executed anyone for smuggling and selling alcoholic beverages."

"If he wants to change his current situation, he must please the Prohibition Committee, and help them make people respect and fear the Prohibition Law, and not dare to easily violate it."

"He even plans to use this opportunity to establish a standard, a norm, for all similar cases, thereby resolving his embarrassing situation."

Lawyer Robben briefly explained that federal laws are often incomplete, or there are relatively few criminals who violate the legal provisions after they are enacted.

When judges are sentencing, they may be unsure about the sentencing standards.

At this time, a "successful precedent" can play a decisive role.

In one case, during the trial stage, the prosecutor and the judge found that there was no applicable law, so the judge could only rely on his own ideas to adjudicate and sentence the case.

Society and public opinion also caused an uproar, but after social discussion, everyone felt that his adjudication and sentencing were not excessive.

In the next few years, there were more than thirty similar cases that used the adjudication and sentencing standards of the first case until it was formally legislated.

Now the promotion of the Prohibition Law is as much a joke as it is related to the light sentencing.

The situation varies from state to state. Some criminal organizations have a deeper influence on the local area, so judges may be influenced when sentencing, such as giving a two- or three-year sentence.

Then, after some operations, they might be out of jail in a year.

This fails to instill fear of the Prohibition Law in people, and the Congressional side doesn't have any good solutions. If Director Dale can promote "increased sentencing" and gain the attention of some people.

Then those big shots who plan to bring him down and step on his corpse to rise to the top will have to consider whether it's worth doing so.

People always have many methods and means for power and survival. This is just his "self-redemption."

Lance listened to lawyer Robben's explanation, his brow furrowed tightly, his hands clasped together on his lower abdomen, his index finger rhythmically moving up and down.

"Do we have any solutions to resolve this possibility?"

Lawyer Robben shook his head slightly, "Congress would be happy to see someone do this."

Lance understood, maintaining the dignity of the ruling class, with the lives and blood of innocent people, this is very federal.

"I can only try to reduce this possibility, but if he is very tough about doing this, the Department of Justice may cooperate with him."

"Mr. Lance, you know, Congress is the ruler of the federation."

"They don't need to actively agree to this matter, they only need to not object or express an opinion when someone asks for their opinion, and that's enough!"

This is the wonder of politics. When supporting something, its expression is not necessarily telling people "I support this matter." Letting people know "I don't oppose it" can achieve the same effect and is less likely to fall into passivity.

Lance sighed lightly, "Then, please continue to keep an eye on the case here. Contact me at any time if there are any other developments or problems."

He took out another check and handed it over, "This is your reward. I know you have a lot to bear, so I'm giving you a portion in advance. The rest will be given to you together after the case is over."

"Of course, if the money runs out, please let me know."

Lawyer Robben didn't refuse; this part was his due.

Watching lawyer Robben leave, Lance pursed his lips tightly, his hands clasped together on his lower abdomen, his index finger rhythmically moving up and down.

In the evening, Ponda returned home after finishing a day's work. Lisa had already prepared dinner and placed it on the table.

But she wasn't in the dining room.

Since the last incident, she still couldn't face Ponda. She would do what she needed to do, and then return to her room and not come out.

No matter what Ponda said, Lisa wouldn't come out. Even if he wanted to open the door and go in, she would use "Don't force me" to repel his idea.

The food was delicious, but it tasted like nothing in his mouth. After randomly filling his stomach, he handled the leftovers and came to Lisa's door.

In fact, he could push the door open by simply twisting the doorknob, but he didn't have the courage to do so.

"Today I was busy again for a day. I was just promoted to senior special agent, and there is a lot of work that needs me to handle. This job is not as simple as I imagined."

"Before, when I was working in the hall, I only had to think about how to do the work that was assigned to me."

"Now, the work of my group will be concentrated here for me to handle."

"And recently, you know, a lot of the Lance family's bars have been caught by us, and we have been handling cases in this area."

He paused, "Honey, I know you're in pain, but please believe that I love you more than ever before."

"It wasn't your fault!"

"I..."

The phone in the living room suddenly rang. He looked back, "I'll answer the phone, and I'll come and talk to you later."

He walked to the living room and answered the phone. Being a senior special agent is just that busy, even at home, there will be phone calls coming in.

"This is Ponda's residence."

"This is Ponda."

"Is it convenient to talk?"

Lance's voice came from the receiver. Ponda was stunned for a moment. He looked around vigilantly, and then suddenly remembered that this was his home.

However, for safety reasons, he decided to go to the study, "Wait for me, don't hang up."

He pressed a button and hung up the phone.

Equivalent to maintaining the call, but there was no input or output on this side.

Then he picked up the phone again in the study. The phone in the living room made a "click" sound, and a button popped up.

"You want me to help you bail people out?", Ponda asked.

"If you want me to help you bail people out, I can only say that I can't do it. Dale is watching very closely, and he is contacting the prosecutor, so I am powerless to do this."

Lance hadn't thought about asking him to bail people out, "Not this, two other things."

"First, alcohol is openly supplied in the Koda Club. Is there any way to deal with it?"

"Second, if something happens to Dale and he can't continue in his position, where will the next candidate come from?"

"Do you have a chance to climb up again?"

When he heard the first question, Ponda didn't think it was a problem, but when Lance asked the second question, he was first horrified!

As a law enforcement officer whose three views were at least very much in line with the mainstream federal views and who had fully and excellently developed before this, this topic was a bit too...offensive!

After all, he is also a member of the Dangerous Goods Administration, and to be honest, although Director Dale didn't show much closeness to him, he wasn't so distant either.

However, after experiencing Lisa's incident, some of his mentality had changed. He first felt uncomfortable, but soon began to think about whether this matter could bring him any benefits.

He thought for a while before sighing, "I don't have enough qualifications."

"Regarding the Koda Club, I will communicate with Director Dale tomorrow. Our manpower is now trapped in these cases in hand."

"So I have no way to give you an answer now."

Lance didn't force him to have an answer immediately, just instructed, "Tomorrow at twelve o'clock, I will call your office."

After hanging up the phone, Pang Da sat on the sofa for a good while, his mind filled with many thoughts, not least of which was the image of him sitting in the director's office.

Jingang City, Xinjin City, any federal city could not exist without alcoholic beverages.

Only by sitting in this position could he truly take the initiative, could he truly be considered a "big shot."