Chapter 324: Chapter 134 How Are You Going to Flip It?
In the office, several family members were so angry they were shaking. This time, seeking a lawyer, they hadn't held back on spending money.
Before taking their money, the other party's attitude was nothing like this, all kinds of compliments, how they had extensive experience, having dealt with many such cases...
Of course, if the families thought about it carefully, they would realize that Han Chengli had always stressed how capable he was, but he had never given any promise about the outcome.
He merely used vague rhetoric, making the anxious families subconsciously believe that as long as they hired him, there would definitely be results.
Han Chengli, the old fox, was just as cautious with such matters.
The defendant's father, a man in his seventies, seemed to age considerably in that moment, trembling but unable to utter a word.
Han Chengli probably felt that his words were a bit harsh, and added, "Don't be too sad, after all, a human life is at stake, and lawyers are human too. The court is bound to make that decision; there's nothing I can do."
"My suggestion is that we should still appeal. At the second trial, the situation might take a turn for the better..."
Finally, the old man, Song Dakang, spoke up, "No need, even if we appeal, we won't be hiring you again."
After saying that, Song Dakang stood up, leading the other family members to leave, while Han Chengli quickly stood and said, "I just said, no matter who you hire, it won't change the situation, and I've made that very clear." Stay connected through empire
"Moreover, I was the one who handled the first trial, who could be more familiar with the case than me? Okay, okay, you go ahead, don't come to me when you're scammed later."
The relatives did not speak again, nor did they linger, convinced at least in their minds that they had been duped.
Rhetoric may absolve you of responsibility, and indeed, there's no evidence to prove anything.
However, everyone has their own understanding, and it cannot be changed just because it is all talk.
Watching the relatives leave, Han Chengli said with disdain, "Still considering an appeal with someone else, as if they have too much money to spend."
Anyway, he had already earned quite a bit from this case. Not having received the money for the second trial just meant earning a bit less.
Meanwhile, the family members exited the law firm, and one of them said, "Dad, what do we do now? We heard that Han Chengli was the best criminal defense lawyer in Jingzhou."
"Now, if we look for someone else, there won't be much of a different outcome, right? Plus, I read online that it's rare for the second trial to reverse a verdict; they usually uphold the original sentence."
Hearing this, Song Dakang waved his hand and said, "What can we do now? Even the slimmest hope is worth pursuing so that your sister doesn't end up serving such a long sentence."
"Let's think of something else. Even if it means hiring a lawyer from The Capital or Magic City, no matter the cost, we have to try!"
Hope was indeed faint, but it was still hope.
Song Dakang's son thought for a moment before saying suddenly, "Right, I remember reading online about a lawyer in Jingzhou who's really powerful, called Tang Fangjing, right?"
Song Dakang's wife interjected, "His name is Tang Fangjing, and their law firm is right opposite Wenwen's home, but a big reputation doesn't necessarily mean he's capable."
"Look at Han Chengli. He has a big reputation, and after all this time, look what we've ended up with."
The family members weren't sure what was going on; they just did as the lawyer said, spending no small amount of money, and ended up with a sentence of ten years.
The man's relatives truly did not want to issue a letter of forgiveness; there was nothing they could do about it. Their son was dead, killed by his own wife, and if they didn't want to issue a letter of forgiveness, how could you force them?
"Right, and this Tang Fangjing is often not in Jingzhou, traveling around working on cases. I've heard a friend mention him before, saying he's usually hard to find."
The relative finished speaking and seeing the others confused, added, "He's the lawyer from Jingzhou who was hit by the muck truck."
Not everyone knew of Old Tang; his fame was significant, but still within certain circles. People outside knew there was a lawyer hit by a muck truck, yet as time passed, they couldn't connect the dots.
With that explanation, everyone understood.
After thinking it over, Song Dakang said, "Whatever the case, let's go see him first; since he's from Jingzhou and got stabbed, that shows he takes responsibility."
Now, they just wanted a responsible lawyer, not someone like Han Chengli who said all the right things before taking their money and then turned away without recognition.
Meanwhile, in the Tengda office, Old Tang was flipping through the "Guide to Mental Illness Relief."
Old Tang was merely interested in the murder case and hadn't paid much attention to it.
He didn't know the case well and since it wasn't his own, he had no basis to give an opinion.
Intentional injury leading to death had a minimum sentence of ten years; a thirteen-year sentence indicated other aspects had not been adequately addressed.
The things we usually mention, like pleading guilty and meritorious service or obtaining forgiveness, can lead to lighter sentences or reduced penalties.
These are different concepts. For instance, the sentencing for intentional injury causing serious harm is three to ten years, right? A lighter sentence implies you could receive the minimum, say three years.
Reduced penalties are different; they imply breaking below the minimum, resulting in an even lower sentence, like two years.
As for the prosecutor's plea bargain system, the scope of leniency is much broader.
Hence, Old Tang never evaluated cases casually. He had just sued those who spoke recklessly online without understanding the circumstances and certainly couldn't do the same himself.
What he needed to do now was wait, wait to see if the progress of the tasks he had previously started would increase any further.