Looking at the verdict, Qin Mu couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath.

The case's verdict had actually come from the High Court! And it had been filed with the Supreme Court for approval.

According to his understanding of litigation procedures, judgments made by courts at any level needed to be submitted to the Supreme Court for approval in two types of situations.

The first was the death penalty. Any death sentence had to go through a review process by the Supreme Court before it could become effective and be carried out.

The second concerned sentences below the statutory penalty. If a criminal act, for various reasons, was to be sentenced below the statutory penalty, it had to be reported for review. Only after the review was approved could the sentence be implemented.

Take Song Yun's verdict, for example. Originally a twelve-year fixed-term imprisonment, it had been reduced to less than ten years, which necessitated this filing.

"Uncle Qin? Uncle Qin?"

Seeing Qin Mu remain silent, Song Yun couldn't help but ask again, "Does this mean... I don't have to go to prison?"

Qin Mu put down the verdict document and nodded. "You won't have to go to prison, but you will be on probation."

Immediately after, he explained the terms of probation to Song Yun.

Probation is also a form of penalty, but it differs from custodial sentences. A custodial sentence involves restricting personal freedom by confining someone in prison for rehabilitation. Probation, on the other hand, is a community-based penalty, meaning you serve your sentence in society under regular supervision.

You'll need to set aside two days a week to go to the community to 'serve your sentence' and study various rehabilitative materials. You must not leave the designated restricted area.

"I still couldn't secure an acquittal. If you're dissatisfied with this verdict... you can apply for a second trial," Qin Mu said, looking at Song Yun and inquiring seriously again.

Although probation meant avoiding prison, it was still very different from an acquittal. For one, a criminal record would still exist, which, to a certain extent, could affect one's family for up to three generations.

And although this verdict was issued by the High Court, it was still a first-instance judgment. The current domestic litigation system operated on a 'four levels and two trials' principle. The courts were structured in tiers: basic courts, intermediate courts, high courts, and the Supreme Court.

Intermediate courts have jurisdiction over municipal cases, while High Courts handle provincial cases.

A case was considered final only after being heard by two levels of courts, after which the parties involved could no longer appeal. Therefore, Song Yun still had the right to one appeal.

"Appeal?"

After listening to Qin Mu's explanation, Song Yun swallowed hard.

He then asked, "If my appeal fails, does this verdict... still stand?"

After all this time, he realized this verdict hadn't come easily.

He was still found guilty, but he wouldn't have to go to prison. It was much better than he had imagined.

"It wouldn't. The outcome of an appealed case is based on the second trial's verdict," Qin Mu replied, shaking his head.

Generally speaking, a second trial has two possible outcomes: either it upholds the original judgment, or it issues a new one.

In legal practice, there had been many cases where a lighter sentence was given in the first trial, but the defendant insisted on appealing. If new criminal facts were discovered during the appeal, it could actually lead to a heavier penalty.

So, a second trial wouldn't necessarily result in a lighter sentence; it could even be harsher.

"Then... then I won't appeal."

After careful consideration, Song Yun repeatedly shook his head.

He could actually accept the current verdict. Reporting to community corrections weekly, detailing his movements, and participating in rehabilitation programs was much better than going to prison.

Qin Mu nodded. Since Song Yun wasn't insistent, Qin Mu didn't press the issue.

This case... after half a month of effort, the dust had finally settled.

Although his 'not guilty' defense had failed, he had still achieved some positive outcomes.

What a pity, the system reward is probably gone...

But he didn't regret it.

The system had offered three task routes, the second being the probation route. If he had chosen probation, based on the current verdict, the task completion rate might have reached 200%. But he had chosen to argue for an acquittal! Barring any surprises... the task completion rate would likely be 0%.

P.S. Only one chapter today. I'm currently nine chapters behind and will release three more tomorrow to catch up.

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