Tokyo: I'm really not a killer

Chapter 84 The Barrister

Yuan Zhensheng silently observed, pretending to report on his work. After finishing, he returned to the police station and, taking advantage of a break in handling police duties, used the office phone to contact several law firms he usually dealt with in civil disputes.

He cautiously inquired about the case handling and consultation fees, using the excuse that "a distant relative of a friend, a blind person, was temporarily questioned by the police due to a misunderstanding."

After much deliberation, only top lawyers dare to take on such cases, and only top lawyers are keen to take on cases that can make them famous. If the case is acquitted, the law firm's business reputation will rise accordingly.

This is how trial defense works in common law systems, where lawyers play a significant role.

There's no other way but to spend the money. Big law firms are expensive, but they really can handle lawsuits.

Yuan Zhensheng and Gu Jianwei agreed on the phone that he would go to the law firm to sign the contract during his lunch break and pay the lawyer's fees in advance. He planned to find a way to ask Gu Jianwei for the money back after she came out.

In the afternoon, a middle-aged man dressed in a sharp, custom-made suit and carrying a black crocodile briefcase walked steadily into the port police station.

His name is Koichi Sakuma, around fifty years old, with a neatly combed silver-gray slicked-back hairstyle and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. He is one of the partners of the well-known Tokyo law firm "Hara Sakuma", specializing in criminal defense, and is particularly skilled at handling thorny cases involving police procedural flaws and evidence disputes.

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He worked in the prosecutor's office for many years before becoming a lawyer. With his deep understanding of the inner workings of the judicial system and his tough style, he was well-known in the industry and the media. He was a tough nut to crack that neither the police nor the prosecutor's office wanted to mess with.

Koichi Sakuma walked straight to the director's office, knocked on the door, and entered without waiting for a response.

The director was frantically dealing with yet another round of calls from headquarters when he saw Attorney Sakuma, and his expression turned even more unpleasant.

They're old enemies.

The detectives who brought him in all recognized him.

However, Koichi Sakuma still introduced himself: "I am Koichi Sakuma, Ms. Yui Furomi's lawyer."

He then stated as usual, "My client has been illegally detained by your office for over 24 hours, and this is based solely on subjective conjecture and coincidence without any concrete evidence. According to Article 203 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, you must either immediately issue an arrest warrant or release him immediately."

The chief attempted to explain: "This is necessary for the investigation of a major prison break case, and Komi Yui is a key figure involved—"

"A connection?" Attorney Sakuma interrupted him. "My client is blind and is a relative of the victim in the Kuwata Kenkichi case. She went to the police station to cooperate with your department's previous investigation into her father's case, which can be confirmed by the receptionist's records and call logs."

"The accident she suffered in the police station lobby due to her disability coincided with the prison break that occurred inside your station in terms of time and space. However, your station has failed to provide any evidence to prove that there is a causal relationship between the two events, let alone prove that my client was aware of or participated in the prison break plan. This is a typical case of presumption of guilt and abuse of power."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the newspapers piled on the director's desk about the prison break: "I understand the immense public pressure your agency is currently under, but that cannot be a reason to infringe upon the legitimate rights and interests of citizens, especially the legitimate rights and interests of people with disabilities."

"If your department continues to detain my client indefinitely under the pretext of cooperating with the investigation, I will immediately apply for a writ of habeas corpus from the district court and at the same time disclose this matter to the Metropolitan Police Department's inspection department and the media."

"At that time, your agency will face not only criticism for its poor handling of fugitives, but also accusations of illegal detention and procedural violations."

The commissioner, sweat beading on his forehead, struggled to find the right words: "We—we're still interrogating, we need time—"

"trial?"

Attorney Sakuma raised an eyebrow slightly. "My client has the right to be questioned in the presence of his lawyer. From now on, I must be present for all questions asked of my client."

"Furthermore, I need to meet with my client immediately to assess her physical and mental condition. If she has suffered any physical or psychological harm due to unreasonable prolonged detention and interrogation, your agency will bear full responsibility."

At this moment, Yamamoto Koji arrived, attempting to smooth things over: "Sir, we are simply following procedure—"

Attorney Sakuma turned to Yamamoto Koji, his gaze sharp: "Inspector Yamamoto, is it? I've reviewed the records; it was you and your subordinates who initially questioned and decided to detain my client."

"What is the legal basis for the detention? Did you fulfill your obligation to inform the parties involved? Are the interrogation records complete and standardized?"

If not, then there is a major flaw in the program from the very beginning.

Yamamoto Koji stopped and smoothly backed away: "Ah, I just remembered, there's still a report I haven't written—" he said as he left the office and closed the office door behind him.

Attorney Sakuma glanced at his watch: "My time is precious, and my client's rights are priceless. Chief Inspector, please arrange for me to meet with Ms. Komi Yui immediately. At the same time, I expect a clear answer within one hour: either a formal application for an arrest warrant or the immediate release of my client, or I will take legal action."

After saying that, he nodded slightly, no longer looking at the livid-faced director, and walked straight toward the interrogation room.

Shortly after, Koichi Sakuma entered the interrogation room accompanied by police officers.

Komi Yui remained quietly seated in her chair. Upon hearing the door open and new footsteps, she turned her head slightly.

"Ms. Yui Komi," Koichi Sakuma's voice was calm and clear, "I am your attorney, Koichi Sakuma. From now on, I will provide you with legal support, and I will be present for any subsequent questioning."

He walked to the chair next to Komi Yui, sat down, placed his briefcase on the table, and then introduced himself briefly, subtly indicating that he had been hired by her friend.

"Thank you, lawyer." Komi Yui's voice was soft, but one could hear a hint of relaxation after exhaustion.

When she heard the lawyer say that he was hired by a friend, she guessed what was going on.

Mr. Suzuki is indeed a kind person; he will not abandon anyone who has been wronged.

However, in a way, she wasn't entirely wronged.

"First, I need to understand your current physical and mental condition."

Koichi Sakuma turned to the accompanying police officer, his tone becoming increasingly businesslike, "My client has been detained for over 24 hours. Has he received adequate food and rest during this time? Has he been subjected to any mistreatment or threats?"

The officer quickly waved his hand: "No, no! We strictly follow the regulations—"

"Please take note. My client is currently in relatively good mental condition, but the prolonged questioning has caused her obvious fatigue." Koichi Sakuma interrupted directly, saying to Yui Komi, "Ms. Komi, you can answer the following questions, or you can remain silent, and I will communicate with the police on your behalf."

He then turned to the police officer: "According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, the detention of my client without an arrest warrant is illegal. I demand an immediate end to this illegal situation. If the police insist that my client is involved in the prison break, please present solid evidence and apply for an arrest warrant according to the law. Otherwise, please process the release immediately."

The officer looked troubled: "This—I need to consult the commissioner—"

"Okay." Sakuma Takayuki nodded. "But during the consultation period, according to my client's rights, she has the right to remain silent and be given a break. I will not allow any further questioning unless a new legal process is initiated."

He turned to Yui Komi, his tone softening slightly: "Ms. Komi, please rest assured, leave the rest to me. You just need to remember that you have not done anything wrong, and the law will protect your legal rights."

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