"In my opinion, the conduct of our client is completely harmless to society and significantly minor in nature."

The two prosecutors exchanged glances.

But they were unable to directly answer this question.

They could only diverge from the main topic of the debate and said gravely, "The defendant's behavior clearly constitutes a crime under criminal law."

"Your claim that he was unaware that Fei's parakeet is an endangered and protected wild animal does not hold up to logic."

"Being able to grow the number of parakeets from two to eighteen within five years, he must have a comprehensive and profound understanding of the parakeets, and cannot be exonerated on the grounds of ignorance."

"During those five years, he had ample time to cease his criminal activities and hand over the parakeets to the forestry department."

"But instead..."

"Moreover, he signed a confession and agreement to accept punishment, admitting the criminal facts himself and expressing his willingness to be penalized..."

Gradually, both sides stuck to their arguments. Neither was willing to give in the slightest during their intense verbal battle.

When the prosecutors brought out the confession, the situation seemed to change once again.

This most exciting segment of the courtroom debate had the elderly spectators in the gallery exclaiming in satisfaction.

For once, Zhang Qingyuan and the others didn't fall asleep.

They had their eyes wide open and ears pricked up, concentrating on the debate between both sides.

This debate was completely different from the usual quarrels they witnessed.

During quarrels, most of it involved insulting each other's families.

But this time... it was a rational argument, underpinned by evidence: presenting logic, discussing reason, debating the law.

"Xiao Qin... who do you think has the upper hand now?"

In the gallery, Song Tiancheng couldn't help but turn his head to ask in a low voice.

Qin Mu frowned slightly and shook his head, "It's hard to say right now; it mainly depends on the panel's judgment."

As he spoke, he glanced at the bench above the courtroom: Zhou Quanmin and the other two judges, along with four jurors.

The verdict was in their hands.

Whether they could win the case… depended on whether Wang Dachui's defense could persuade them. At the moment, the situation was unclear.

BANG—

Three hours later, Zhou Quanmin struck the gavel, signaling the end of the three-hour-long free debate session.

Then he looked towards both parties.

He asked, "Does either party have anything further to add?"

Wang Dachui moistened his dry lips and shook his head.

In those three hours, he had used every single point Qin Mu had given him.

The prosecutors too indicated they had said everything they intended to.

"If that is the case, then we shall adjourn for thirty minutes."

Following that, Zhou Quanmin announced a recess and led the panel to the conference room in the back.

At the defendant's dock, Wang Dachui nervously wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and walked over to Qin Mu with Song Yun.

"How was my performance, pretty good, wasn't it?"

Qin Mu smiled and nodded.

Indeed, Wang Dachui had just spoken eloquently from the perspectives of natural justice and legal principles, performing very well.

"Then... Uncle Qin, will I be sentenced?" Song Yun swallowed nervously and asked.

Although he was prepared for the worst, he was still extremely anxious.

If they lost... a twelve-year prison sentence was simply despairing.

...

In the panel's conference room.

"Let's talk; how does everyone view the progression of this case so far?" Zhou Quanmin looked at the six others seated and began the discussion of their opinions.

Up to this point in the case, there was no dispute over Song Yun's criminal facts from either party.

The biggest contention in the case was whether Song Yun's actions constituted a crime.

The prosecutors insisted on the indictment, whereas the defense did not acknowledge any guilt.

"I think, now that the case details are clear, our decision must still be based on the law. This case is straightforward, the law is applicable, and there shouldn't be this much controversy," one of the judges said after some thought.

However, another judge frowned and said, "I very much agree with the defendant's lawyer's earlier statement: mechanical justice is not advisable, twelve years is too rigid."

A few jurors also expressed their opinions in succession.

"Twelve years is indeed rigid. However, Song Yun's behavior has completely constituted a particularly serious circumstance under criminal law, which should receive a sentence of over ten years. We do not have the authority to sentence below ten years."

"Based on the facts found during the trial, Song Yun's breeding of endangered wild animals indeed did not cause any societal harm."

"The offense is significantly minor, generally warranting a suspended sentence, but the application of a suspended sentence is typically for fixed-term imprisonment of less than three years, so Song Yun's sentencing probably wouldn't qualify for a suspended sentence either."

"The current law clearly stipulates..."

All seven spoke up, expressing their views on the case and their inclinations on the verdict.

Three believed that a verdict should be rendered according to the law.

Four thought that a twelve-year sentence was too harsh.

But... they were part of a grassroots court, without the power to impose a sentence below the statutory punishment.

If they were to sentence, they could only do so according to the statutory punishment, which would mean at least ten years of fixed-term imprisonment.

"Actually, I presided over a parakeet case two years ago as well..." Zhou Quanmin glanced at the six individuals and began to recount an old case from the past.

「A few years ago.」

A common farmer from Jin City trapped and killed an endangered parakeet in the countryside.

Then someone reported it.

The case was brought to court.

At that time, he was a judge.

The Judgment Chief thought the case should be handled according to the law and sentenced the individual to three years of fixed-term imprisonment with a fine.

This case made a deep impression on him.

"The Judgment Chief's actions were not wrong, but I often wonder..."

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