Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 406 Lionel, convicted! (Seeking votes at the beginning of the month)
Faced with Lionel's questioning, Judge Bernard turned pale, and his robes were soaked with cold sweat.

He had never encountered a defendant like this before, nor had he ever been caught in such a dilemma.

A verdict means a political storm and disgrace; no verdict or a lenient sentence means the judge loses all authority and how can he continue to work in the legal profession?
Judge Bernard made a final effort: "Mr. Sorel, this court needs to ensure that your 'guilty plea' is based on a full understanding of the nature of the charges."

Are you aware that some of your statements might be interpreted as... well... active participation and critical thinking on public affairs?
This is a right granted to citizens by the Republic. Would you like to elaborate on your views further, perhaps there are some... misunderstandings involved?
Or perhaps these statements could be interpreted in a more reasonable way?

He was practically begging Lionel to say a few words in his defense, even if it was just for show.

Lionel's voice was calm, even almost cruel: "There is no misunderstanding, Your Honor. My point of view is clear, and my actions are clear."

I made statements opposing colonial wars, which I consider wrong and shameful. If this constitutes a crime, then I submit to the law.

Please have the court render a judgment in accordance with the law.

Whispers broke out again in the courtroom, this time with a more pronounced sense of mockery and absurdity.

Reporters worked feverishly, recording this unprecedented spectacle:

Judges and prosecutors are desperately trying to exonerate defendants who have pleaded guilty, but defendants are determined to seek justice.

Prosecutor Alexander Dipont took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat that kept pouring down his forehead and neck. His expression changed from stern to anxious, even desperate.

He looked at Judge Bernard, his eyes conveying a sense of helplessness.

Judge Louis-Auguste Bernard also felt extremely uncomfortable; the shirt under his robe clung tightly to his back, feeling icy cold.

He struck the gavel again and announced: "Given the complexity of the case and the defendant's guilty plea in court, further deliberation by this court is required."

The court will now be in recess for thirty minutes!

As the gavel fell, the judge practically sprang from his seat and strode away.

Prosecutor Alexander Dupont also hurriedly packed up his documents and fled from everyone's sight.

Lionel Sorel was left standing alone in the dock, facing a room full of whispers.

He remained calm, as if this out-of-control legal farce had nothing to do with him.

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Deep within the Palace of Justice, in an office isolated from the bustling courtroom, the atmosphere was deathly still and heavy.

Judge Louis-Auguste Bernard removed his heavy judicial robes and loosened his shirt collar in frustration.

Prosecutor Alexander Dipont, pale-faced, paced anxiously around his office.

There were two other people in the room: Duke Giscard d'Montmorancy and Count Patrice d'Gramont.

Both of them looked rather grim.

Judge Bernard looked at the Duke of Montmorency, his voice trembling: "We have no choice but to convict him, Your Grace, as you have seen!"
He confessed himself! In court, in front of everyone! If he isn't found guilty after this, how can we explain it to the public!
Where is the dignity of French law? Where is my dignity as a judge?

Duke Montmorency scoffed: "Answer? To whom? Bernard, are you still concerned about your dignity? Look outside! Listen to the voices of the people!"

That cunning kid's 'confession' performance on the steps has already pointed all the blame at us! At the so-called 'behind-the-scenes conspiracy'!
The slogans they've been chanting outside have changed from 'freedom of speech' to 'expose the conspirators'!

Convicting him now? That would be telling all of Paris, all of France, that we brought Jules Ferry to court only to destroy him!
This would confirm all his accusations!

At this point, he suddenly stood up, slamming his cane heavily on the floor: "That idiot Jules Ferri is already a sinking ship! We can't go down with him!"

The public's anger is now directed not only at his cabinet, but also at the people behind him!
If Lionel Sorel is convicted of his remarks, even if it's just a day in jail or a one-franc fine, we could be exposed to the public eye!

Just think about what Lionel's villa in Vernev looks like now. Do you think they wouldn't dare do that to us?

"When the time comes, as long as this kid points his finger at someone, those ignorant mobs will definitely... definitely..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Finally, the Duke of Montmorency sneered: "Do you think you can get away with just resigning from your public office? How naive!"
Your Honor, do you still consider your dignity important?

Count Gramont's voice was deep and rumbling, like thunder rolling across the ceiling: "The military won't be happy with this outcome either."

Colonial failures have already humiliated the generals, and now a writer's remarks have caused such a huge scandal!

The series of failures that followed, enough to bring Jules Ferry to his knees, were enough, so—

What we need now is to de-escalate the situation, not to ignite a powder keg!

Prosecutor Alexander Dupont couldn't help but retort, his tone both aggrieved and angry: "Then why did you push for this prosecution in the first place? Now that things have become complicated, you're blaming us instead?"
"You're the ones who say Jules Ferry needs to be taught a lesson, so what can we do? Declare him innocent in court? What's the point of the prosecution then? Where is the authority of our prosecutorial system?"

The Duke of Montmorency interrupted him bluntly: "That's your problem! You failed to control the situation! You gave him the opportunity to stage that scene outside the Palace of Justice and in the courtroom!"

You should have had the bailiffs arrest him and put him on trial long ago!

Judge Bernard's pent-up resentment finally erupted: "Just arrest them? And then let the Palace of Justice be razed to the ground by the agitated crowd, is that it?"

You underestimated his resolve! You used the judiciary as a tool!
Now that failure is imminent, are you going to blame the tools for not being good enough?

The office was instantly filled with accusations and utter chaos. The Duke of Montmorency accused the judges of incompetence, while Bernard and Dupont complained that the higher-ups had misjudged the situation and dragged them into this mess.

Anxiety and anger were written all over everyone's face, and the air seemed to be on fire.

Just as the argument was escalating, a thought flashed through Judge Bernard's mind—a thought that could solve his own predicament.

As he continued his verbal exchange with the two nobles, he thought to himself, "Perhaps... perhaps there is another possibility..."

The other three, however, were completely unaware of his unusual behavior.

----------

Meanwhile, the atmosphere was relatively calm in another lounge provided for the defendant.

Attorney Jules Fayol paced back and forth, his face filled with shock: "I've been practicing law for thirty years and I've never seen a trial like this!"

The prosecutor and judge are desperately trying to exonerate the defendant who pleaded guilty, while the defendant is adamant about being convicted! This is insane!

Mr. Sorel, what exactly are you doing?

Lionel picked up the water on the table and took a sip: "Mr. Fayol, when a case is not based on the law from the beginning, but on political calculations, it is inherently very unstable, just like nitroglycerin."

I simply moved the fuse they had lit a little closer to their feet.

Lawyer Fayol stopped and looked at him seriously: "Man, you're playing with fire!"

Aren't you afraid they'll just go along with it and convict you?
Even if it's just to maintain the facade of dignity of the court? 'Undermining military discipline,' 'Inciting disobedience,' 'Insulting the nation'...

These charges can range from minor to serious; if they insist on sentencing, it will at least be several months in prison!

Lionel put down his water glass and looked through the small window of the lounge towards the gloomy inner courtyard of the Palace of Justice.

"If they really do that, then for me, what I might lose is a period of freedom."

But those who put me in the dock have certainly lost more... They will weigh the pros and cons.

In politics, individual grievances must always give way to the interests of the whole, especially their own.

Fayol was stunned, fell silent, took a deep breath, and patted Lionel on the shoulder:

"It's almost time, let's go."

----------

The gavel struck again, and the atmosphere in the second chamber of the misdemeanor court, which had been briefly recessed, grew increasingly tense.

All eyes were focused between the judge's bench and the defendant's dock, awaiting the final outcome of this bizarre trial.

Judge Louis-Auguste Bernard's face was tense as his gaze swept across the room, finally settling on Lionel.

He reiterated in a stern tone: "Defendant Lionel Sorel, before the adjournment of this court, you have clearly stated your admission of all the charges brought against you by the prosecution."

Do you still have any objections or need to add anything at this point?

Lionel stood ramrod straight, his voice clear: “No objection, Your Honor. I plead guilty to the charges.”

These few simple words once again stirred up a ripple in the courtroom.

The reporters in the gallery pricked up their ears, the jurors exchanged complicated glances, and the prosecutor, Alexander Dupont, kept his head down, as if none of this had anything to do with him.

Anyway, he's already taken the plunge and sued Lionel Sorel; the real headache is with Bernard.

Judge Bernard took a deep breath, picked up the gavel, but did not strike it immediately.

He stood up, looked down at Lionel, deliberately raised his voice, and began to announce the results:
"Based on the defendant Lionel Sorel's conduct during the trial and his attitude toward the judicial process, this court, after deliberation, hereby pronounces the following judgment—"

Lionel Sorel is found guilty of 'contempt of justice' and fined 500 francs!

As the verdict was announced, a moment of deathly silence fell over the courtroom.

Immediately, the immense astonishment caused a sudden uproar in the courtroom!

"what?"

"Disrespect for the law?"

Is this charge included in the indictment?

"What's going on? Weren't there only those three charges?"

Even Lionel himself was stunned, staring in astonishment at the high-ranking Second Chief Judge of the Minor Offenses Court, Bernard.

Alexander Dupont's expression was even more priceless, as if he had seen a ghost.

(I've written another chapter. There might be more tonight, or there might not be. Don't wait up.)

(End of this chapter)