Chapter 653: Chapter 246: Discussions in the Collegiate Panel, The Verdict is Out!_2

Watching the situation unfold, Zhang Wei let out a sigh of relief.

Selling the stolen pumpkins did indeed constitute a crime.

But in terms of joint criminal activity, their actions were those of accessories. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

From the perspective of sons helping their father, their actions were understandable.

Regarding the amount, the profit from selling the pumpkins...

was all given to Zhao Dezhu and the other seniors.

Few, if any, of them kept any of it for themselves.

Coupled with their difficult family situations back in their respective villages...

there was a strong chance of arguing for a sentence of criminal detention.

「Simultaneously.」

「In the nursing home.」

Zhang Qingyuan and the others were eating while watching the second half of the live broadcast.

Abhorring evil as they did, they all wished that Zhao Fugui and his group would end up in prison with Zhao Dezhu and his associates.

"It’s over, it’s over! I feel like Zhang Wei and his team’s defense is so good."

"They won’t actually succeed in getting it changed from fixed-term imprisonment to criminal detention, will they? Criminal detention doesn’t count as a criminal record, right?"

"With the atmosphere built up like this, if Zhao Fugui and his people don’t pull any stunts, I’m afraid this won’t end well for our side."

"By the way, what exactly is criminal detention? Where are they detained? Do they have to go to prison?"

"..."

Watching the coordination between Zhang Wei and Wang Dachui, everyone looked displeased.

As the defendants’ lawyers, it’s understandable for them to argue for a reduced sentence. After all, if the legal profession didn’t exist, the power to sentence would be infinitely magnified, and criminal law could potentially become even more severe. But Zhao Dezhu and his group’s actions truly don’t deserve any sympathy. The same goes for accomplices like Zhao Fugui and his men. However, Zhang Wei and Wang Dachui performed excellently in the second half, while Zhao Fugui and his group acted like shrinking turtles—exceptionally obedient, showing absolutely no desire to grandstand. It left us onlookers feeling stuck. We’ve never seen such docile defendants before!

"Criminal detention is also a form of punishment, and it also results in a criminal record," Qin Mu said seriously, continuing his role as commentator as he watched the increasingly anxious Zhang Qingyuan and the others.

The grumbling crowd finally quieted down, all turning their heads to look at Qin Mu.

"Fixed-term imprisonment of over a year means incarceration in a prison, while sentences of less than a year are served in a pre-trial detention center."

"Criminal detention and public surveillance, on the other hand, are administered by public security organs, meaning confinement in a detention house."

"Public surveillance does not require confinement. Criminal detention means being confined in a detention house, but individuals are allowed to return home for two days each month."

Looking at the crowd, Qin Mu explained the distinctions between these forms of punishment.

"Life in a detention house... compared to a pre-trial detention center or a prison, is the best. There’s a lot of freedom. As long as you have money, you can spend it freely inside, eat whatever you want, and even order takeout."

"A pre-trial detention center, however, is more monotonous. Inmates are always in handcuffs, confined to a space of about ten square meters. Every day is just waking up, eating, making the bed, sleeping... The spending situation there is slightly worse than in a detention house. Still, if you have money, you can spend several thousand yuan a month in a pre-trial detention center, though takeout isn’t allowed."

"As for prison... it’s actually more liberal. There’s no need to wear handcuffs, and more recreational activities are available, such as studying, working, sleeping, being on duty, recreation, making phone calls, writing letters, and having visits. Operating vehicles, playing games, and playing sports are all common in prison."

"In a nutshell, whatever amenities are available in detention houses and pre-trial detention centers, prisons also have. And whatever isn’t available in those places, prisons often have too. The main exception is spending restrictions."

"So if their sentence is changed from fixed-term imprisonment to criminal detention, wouldn’t they basically be going there to enjoy themselves? Eating whatever they want?"

"Criminal detention is only for a few months. Isn’t that too light a punishment?"

"It’s a pity Zhao Fugui isn’t more assertive! He’s just listening to Zhang Wei the whole time without any independent thought."

"They won’t actually sentence them to criminal detention in the end, will they?"

"..."

Once Zhang Qingyuan, Li Weiguo, Song Tiancheng, and the others learned the difference between criminal detention and fixed-term imprisonment, they were instantly unhappy.

To them, the pumpkin sellers were also accomplices; there was a good chance they had instigated the crimes from behind the scenes. Justice wouldn’t feel complete if even one of them evaded full judgment.

"The verdict should be out soon," Qin Mu commented, not engaging with their complaints, instead looking up at the live broadcast on the screen.

After the setbacks in the first half, Zhang Wei performed very well in the second half and didn’t fall into any more traps. If things go as expected, Zhao Fugui and the other 65 individuals will likely be sentenced to criminal detention. Although it still means a criminal record, the punishment is relatively light. If they’re willing to spend enough money, they could even treat it as a vacation for a few months.

「Zizhou.」

「A Certain District Court.」

「First Criminal Trial Court.」

BANG—

As the trial progressed, the sound of the gavel echoed.

The Judgment Chief looked down at everyone present and said in a deep voice, "Now, Zhao Fugui and the other 65 defendants, please make your final statements."

Zhang Wei and Wang Dachui had already presented their defense arguments and had also filed a motion requesting lenient sentencing. The open debate phase had concluded, and the trial was now entering its final stage: the defendants’ final statements, where each defendant was granted the right to speak on their own behalf.

As soon as the Judgment Chief finished speaking, Zhang Wei’s expression tensed, and he couldn’t help but glance towards Zhao Fugui and the others.

They had behaved impeccably so far in the second half. Now... everything hinged on this final segment. In several of his previous cases, defendants had gone off-script during their final statements, completely disrupting his defense strategy and affecting the final verdict. Fortunately, this time... Zhao Fugui and his group showed no desire to grandstand and remained composed. They came forward one by one, expressing their willingness to plead guilty and demonstrating a cooperative attitude, without causing any trouble.