Too Bad I Take Things Seriously

"I think we need to be cautious about ruling no responsibility. The verdict must at least comply with the principle of fair responsibility."

"The principle of fair responsibility was established initially with the purpose of reflecting the law's care for the party whose interests have been harmed. A no-responsibility verdict would be far too cruel to the plaintiff."

"I still hold the same view. For our society today, balancing fairness is paramount; otherwise, public apathy will likely become even harder to curb!"

"The principle of fair responsibility has always been controversial. In my opinion, the law is not there to muddy the waters; its purpose is to assist in the better development of the nation and society..."

The seven people were extremely cautious regarding this verdict. The discussion, starting from the case itself, gradually extended to advocating for societal values, changing social attitudes, and the "principle of fair responsibility."

In civil compensation, there has always been an important principle: the principle of fair responsibility. Regardless of fault, if one party suffers a significant loss, the other party must provide corresponding civil compensation to demonstrate the law's protection and care for the weaker party.

In fact, the law was initially established to guarantee fairness, prevent the exploitation of the weak, and protect the rights of the vulnerable. However, this rule has always been contentious within the legal community, with differing viewpoints.

For example, consider a typical car accident where the other party collides with you and dies. Even if it's clear that you, the one who was hit, bear no responsibility, you still have to pay considerable civil compensation!

"Ladies and gentlemen, observing the changes in social attitudes over the past decades, what do you think? Is balancing fairness more important, or is addressing this urgent matter more critical?"

"Those who gather firewood for others should not be left to freeze in the snow!"

Zhou Quanmin slowly raised his head and glanced at the other six people, posing his question.

In the final statement phase, Qin Mu cited highly representative verdicts from the past fifteen years. The case at that time caused a sensation. Countless people turned it into a joke: before helping someone, you had a BMW or a Mercedes at home; after helping, all that remained was a broken bicycle.

Although meant in jest, it sufficiently reflected the adverse impact of that event. If helping others means worrying about being sued and ordered to pay compensation, then it's better not to help at all.

Many people, upon seeing someone hit by a car and lying on the roadside, merely stand by indifferently, taking photos and sharing them on social media. After all, the law stipulates that as long as you're not the one who did the hitting, it has nothing to do with you. Even if you witness the person bleed to death on the spot, you bear no responsibility.

On the contrary, if you save the person, take them to the hospital, and help with the medical bills, you might still be sued for compensation by their family!

The case Yuan Cui Lian has brought to trial is also extremely special. Regardless of the compensation amount awarded—even if it's just one penny—it's tantamount to telling the world that acting bravely for a just cause is wrong!

「An hour later.」

In the Second Criminal Court, Zhou Quanmin, together with the collegiate bench, returned to their seats.

"All rise!" the court officer spoke solemnly.

Everyone in the plaintiff's section, the defendant's section, and the public gallery stood up collectively, gazing toward the members of the collegiate bench ahead. Each person awaited the verdict with a certain trepidation in their hearts.

Yuan Cui Lian hoped the court would rule that Qin Mu and the others bear their due responsibility and pay corresponding civil compensation.

Liang Chengbin, Bai Xuelan, and Hua Li, on the other hand, were somewhat anxious, uncertain how the court would rule.

Especially Liang Chengbin. His family situation was already difficult. After years of scrimping, saving, and working day and night, he had indeed managed to save over a hundred thousand yuan, but that money was for his son's education. If he really had to pay compensation, it would be like adding frost to snow—utterly devastating. As for acting heroically? If he encountered such an incident in the future, he would definitely not give it a second glance!

Meanwhile, in the public gallery, as the most thrilling moment arrived, not a single elderly person felt sleepy. Their aged eyes were wide open, eagerly awaiting the verdict.

This trial had lasted nearly eight hours, stretching from morning into the afternoon. The results were finally about to be revealed.

BANG!

Zhou Quanmin took a deep breath and struck the solemn gavel. He took out the verdict document and began to announce, "Today, this court, having formed a collegiate bench according to law, held a public hearing for the case of Qin Mu and others involved in a fatal chase. Both the plaintiff and defendant parties attended the litigation, and the hearing has now concluded."

"The plaintiff, Yuan Cui Lian, sued Qin Mu, Liang Chengbin, Bai Xuelan, and Hua Li for a death resulting from a chase. This incident originated on the 27th of last month when Bai Xuelan was robbed of a gold necklace by Xia Yuan on the street."

"After reviewing the case, the facts have been ascertained. Qin Mu and Liang Chengbin, upon hearing cries for help, acted bravely for a just cause by chasing Xia Yuan. Evidence supporting this includes surveillance footage and witness testimonies from along the route."

After briefly stating the facts of the case, Zhou Quanmin looked at everyone in the courtroom and declared solemnly, "This court holds that Xia Yuan's act of crossing the street while being pursued violated traffic safety laws. His dangerous behavior was self-created, constituting a self-assumed risk, and it has no necessary causal relationship with the actions of others."

"According to Article 233 of the Criminal Law, the crime of causing death by negligence requires that negligent conduct leads to serious consequences. This case does not meet that criterion. Therefore, the pursuers—Qin Mu, Liang Chengbin, and Bai Xuelan—bear no criminal responsibility."

"Hua Li was driving normally when he encountered a traffic accident. According to the traffic police department's determination of responsibility, he does not bear the main responsibility and therefore is not guilty of the crime of causing a traffic accident."

"In accordance with the relevant provisions of Articles 183 and 184 of the Civil Code: individuals who engage in acts of bravery for a just cause, except in cases of gross negligence, shall not bear civil liability."