Chapter 63: Chapter 63: When It Comes to Sentence Reduction, That’s My Specialty
"So... Lawyer Zhang Wei, how confident are you, really?"
Wu Zhenglin took a deep breath and continued to press.
But Lawyer Zhang Wei was stunned for a moment. A strange expression crossed his face.
He couldn’t help but retort, "How confident? You don’t still want to win this case, do you?"
「Half a day earlier.」
He had just wrapped up a lawsuit, helping his client avoid a two hundred thousand fine. The sentence was changed to eight years imprisonment. Then he learned that Anjia Real Estate Agency was offering a high salary for a lawyer to help with a lawsuit. It was said that they offered one million in attorney fees. And then, with his schedule conveniently free, he decided to give it a try and came.
He had thought there would be many competitors, but to his surprise, he didn’t meet a single peer here.
Wu Zhenglin and Lin Zhen regarded him... quite highly, it seemed.
"If I can’t win, then why would I hire a lawyer?"
Upon hearing his words, Wu Zhenglin frowned and said in a heavy voice.
Zhang Wei responded seriously, "As far as your case goes, I’ve looked into it. The practices your company has been engaged in are suspected of serious borderline illegalities, and the prosecution has already gathered evidence. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the evidence is conclusive."
"Under these circumstances, unless you can hire the legendary defense team from the Simpson murder case, no one else can turn this around."
No sooner had he finished speaking, Wu Zhenglin’s eyes brightened again, and he quickly asked, "Where is this legal team? How much do they cost? I’ll go and hire them right now!"
Zhang Wei’s mouth twitched.
He said somberly, "This legal team charges one hundred million dollars for a single appearance. Are you sure you can afford them?"
Wu Zhenglin’s expression saddened once again.
Just for a defense, they dare to charge one hundred million dollars?
He had worked hard for over a decade, and the total of all his ill-gotten gains didn’t even amount to one hundred million! It was simply impossible to afford them.
"So, when you are hiring a lawyer now, you should prepare for the worst. There is no hope of winning this case, no chance of a successful defense."
Zhang Wei looked at Wu Zhenglin and Lin Zhen.
He said earnestly, "If I were you, at this point, I would find a lawyer who is skilled at plea bargaining to help you minimize the sentence as much as possible in court, and strive for the best possible outcome."
Wu Zhenglin and Lin Zhen exchanged glances. Both of their faces turned extremely ugly.
Thinking back to the attitude of the lawyers in Jin City these past few days...
The situation had become quite clear. Their chances in this lawsuit... were far too slim. Otherwise, with a legal fee of one million, it wouldn’t be impossible to find a lawyer.
After a long silence, Wu Zhenglin clenched his teeth and continued to ask, "Then... do you know who in Jin City is best at plea bargaining?"
Zhang Wei smiled. He stood tall and proud, pointing to himself.
He said with utmost confidence, "In Jin City, I dare not claim expertise in other areas, but when it comes to plea bargaining, I rank myself second to none."
In the field of lost causes, he had ample experience. Whenever a case was unwinnable, he would exert all his effort to minimize the client’s losses. He received positive feedback from more than 50% of his clients.
Afterwards, seeing that the two men were still hesitant, he added, "Moreover, my fee isn’t high, just twenty thousand for the attorney fee."
After hearing this, Wu Zhenglin furrowed his brow. He didn’t say a word.
Meanwhile, Lin Zhen jolted and paled.
If a loss was inevitable... then wouldn’t he end up paying a total of 3.6 million in compensation?
With this thought, he quickly grabbed Zhang Wei’s arm.
He asked urgently, "Lawyer Zhang, Qin Mu and the others are demanding 3.6 million in compensation from me, how much could you reduce it by?"
Zhang Wei pondered for a moment. From a professional standpoint, he analysed seriously, "You are suspected of contract violations, fake housing listings, buying low and selling high, among other improper practices. With my defense, I can guarantee..."
Lin Zhen stared at Zhang Wei intently, with a glimmer of hope.
"Absolutely not more than two million!"
Lin Zhen: "..."
Damn two million!
All this fuss, only to reduce so little.
Zhang Wei glanced at Lin Zhen, who looked somewhat disappointed, and reminded him, "Although the compensation hasn’t been reduced much, you haven’t asked about the sentencing yet."
Lin Zhen swallowed hard.
He couldn’t help but ask, "I still have to be sentenced?"
Zhang Wei rolled his eyes, "Of course. You’re suspected of fraud, credit crimes, false advertising, and other criminal offenses. Based on the sentencing principles, you should be punished for multiple crimes. Five years is unavoidable."
After hearing this, Lin Zhen was even more frightened.
He quickly asked, "Then, Lawyer Zhang, if you defend me, could I possibly be acquitted?"
Zhang Wei’s mouth twitched. He held up three fingers and said, "I can guarantee your sentence will be three years at most!"
Lin Zhen: "..."
Wu Zhenglin: "..."
「The next day.」
The court date had finally arrived.
「Nursing home.」
Qin Mu took the day off specially to go to the courthouse with Wang Dachui.
At the entrance of the courthouse, they ran into Uncle Yang and his wife.
"Mr. Qin."
Even from a distance, the couple waved at him enthusiastically.
"Can we really win this time?"
Upon meeting, Uncle Yang’s face was filled with anxiety as he asked worriedly.
Before Qin Mu could speak, Wang Dachui waved his hand confidently and said, "Uncle, don’t worry, the prosecutor’s office has gotten involved. We are bound to win this lawsuit."
He had several friends working at the prosecutor’s office. These past days, he had made a point of inquiring about the news. He learned that the prosecutor’s office investigation team had found many borderline illegal pieces of evidence in this shady real estate agency. This naturally included Lin Zhen. The prosecutor’s office was preparing to file a public prosecution in court, and the target of this prosecution... was the entire shady real estate agency!
When the time came, not a single high-level profit-earner or key core staff member from the agency would escape!
Uncle Yang and his wife looked at each other, doubtful yet hopeful.
They were now living in the house that Qin Mu sold to them, and their grandson had also successfully enrolled. But before this, they had incurred a three hundred thousand debt with Lin Zhen. If they couldn’t win the lawsuit, they would have to pay more than three thousand in mortgage every month. For them, living solely on their pension... the pressure was just too much.
"Don’t worry, the verdict will come out today,"
Qin Mu noticed Uncle Yang and his wife’s worries and concerns, and offered a word of comfort.
He led them into the courthouse, to the courtroom.
「Inside the courtroom.」
He found himself facing an "old acquaintance."
The defense lawyer for the other party turned out to be Zhang Wei, who had defended Yang Minghui and the other two before.
Only this time... the defendant Lin Zhen was not "missing" but was standing in the defendant’s dock, looking at them coldly.
"To think I helped you sell your house out of kindness, hustling around to show the place to people. I never expected you to be so sinister and venomous!"
Before the session began, Lin Zhen came up to Qin Mu, hissing through clenched teeth.
At this point, he was no longer the modest and amiable man he had been. His expression was dark, as if he were the real victim.