“Good morning, future lawyers!” Our professor greeted us as he entered the classroom.
“Good morning, Attorney Gonzales.” We greeted him back.
He smiled and sat on the chair in front. “Before I discuss, let me ask you a question first. But before that, I need two volunteers, a future criminal defense attorney and a future prosecutor.” Of course I raised my hand, and I'm not surprised that the jerk also raised his.
“So who's the future defense attorney here?” I raised my hand again, and Kade raised his hand too when Attorney Gonzales asked who among us is the future prosecutor.
Seems like we'll be a rival forever. It's really possible that we'll cross our paths soon in the supreme court fighting over a case.
“My question is, why do defense attorneys defend the criminal even though they are the one who's bad in the eyes of people? And why do prosecutors defend the victim even when they don't know yet who really is the criminal. I mean, we are all aware that a criminal is a criminal if the court proves that they are guilty, so kapag hindi pa napatunayan na guilty ang criminal maaaring ang victim ang guilty sa dalawa. Bakit nga ba? Let's start with you Ms. Del Moore.” Said by our professor.
Ngumiti naman ako at nag simula nang sumagot. “Why do defense attorneys defend the criminal even though they are the one who's bad in the eyes of people? Simple as, it's our work as a defense Attorney. Nevertheless of how people look and think of them. Bilang isang Attorney nasa atin ang susi para mapatunayan na hindi sila guilty, kasi hindi naman lahat ng criminal ginawa talaga ang krimen diba? Minsan sila lang ang napagbintangan ng sinasabi nilang suspect ng crime. In a nutshell, defense attorneys defend the criminals nevertheless of how people look and think of them because it is their job, and their job is to prove to the people that the criminals are not guilty of the crime, that they are victims too, na napagbintangan lang sila.” Tumango tango naman si Attorney Gonzales habang nakikinig lang ang mga kaklase namin. Bumaling naman siya kay Kade at sumenyas na torno na niya para sumagot.
Agaran namang sumagot si Kade pagkatapos ng senyas ni Attorney Gonzales. “Why do prosecutors defend the victim even when they don't know yet who really is the criminal? To answer your question, Attorney— The reason why prosecutors defend the victims kahit hindi pa nila talaga alam kung sino ang criminal ay dahil bilang isang prosecutor katulad ng defense attorney, trabaho rin nila na ipaglaban ang mga victim ng krimen kahit hindi pa naman talaga napatunayan ng korte na victim sila. Ngunit, back to your answer Ms. Del Moore, you said sometimes napagbintangan lang sila, that they are victims too. Are you aware that evidence can be manipulated too? Let's say, this is the supreme court and I am the prosecutor of the case and you are the defense attorney, at totoong criminal naman talaga ang pinaglaban mo, you manipulated the evidence para mag mukhang suspect ang victim na client ko, para hindi ma proven guilty ang kliyente mo—” I smirked and cut his words.
“Hush! Future Prosecutor. Are you saying madumi akong attorney sa kasalukuyan? That I will manipulate the evidence just so my client won't be proven guilty? I say, you are so wrong Mr. Lopez. Bakit? Kasi evidence is the result of an investigation, ano? Mag iimbistega ako para makakuha ng maruming ebidensya? Let's say, you don't know diba kasi we have our own different strategies, pero let me tell you— Lalabas at lalabas ang totoo.” At kahit anong sagot ko, alam na alam kong lagi siyang may sagot, kasi hinding hindi siya mag papatalo, ngunit nahuli kong ngumiti ang babaeng lumapit saakin noong nakaraang araw.
“You are a future criminal defense attorney, and most defense attorneys have a powerful criminal client. Money can be everything, Ms. Del Moore. Kung maimpluwensyang tao ang ipaglalaban mo, kaya niyang bayaran ang judge—” I laughed and cut his words again.
“Are you saying bayaran ang judge? You cannot draw such conclusion, darling. Hindi dahil mapera ang isang criminal, ugali na nilang bayaran ang mga taong nasa paligid just so they could win. Oo nga, hindi natin alam— Pero again? You cannot draw a conclusion without reason with proper evidence. Really? That is how a future prosecutor think?” I saw in his eyes how irritated he is sa sagot ko sa kaniya na siyang mas along nag pasaya saakin.
“Back to your words, DARLING. YOU CANNOT DRAW A CONCLUSION AS WELL THAT JUDGE'S CAN'T BE PAID AND CRIMINALS WON'T USE THEIR MONEY AND POWER. Really? That is how a future lawyer thinks?” Diniinan niya talaga ang bawat salitang binitawan niya na siyang nag dulot ng inis at pumalit sa sayang nararamdaman ko.
Pero syempre, hindi naman ako mag papatalo. I won't let my anger eat my whole system para hindi na ako makasagot sa kaniya. “Oo nga, hindi ako pwedeng mag conclude na hindi sila bayaran at hindi gagamitin ng maimpluwensyang criminal ang pera nila. Pero, why are you accusing the judge? Are you aware that it is against the law? Your false accusations could fall under the Revised Penal Code.” I know from that moment, I beat him. I won against him kasi umigting ang panga nito, and Attorney Gonzales praised me more.
“You two are really good. However, Ms. Del Moore got you Mr. Lopez. I love seeing you two arguing over a case or situation, kasi mas nag b-broad ang tanong lang sana.” He slightly laughed at pinaupo na kami pagkatapos niyang magsalita.
Lumingon naman ako sa gawi ni Kade na ngayon ay hindi makangiti at matalim ang tingin saakin. I winked at him to teased him more. Nagsisimula palang tayo Mr. Lopez, tatalunin at tatalunin kita.
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Love At First Argument (Law student series#1)
Narrativa generaleAdira Del Moore is an only daughter, she always graduates with flying colors ever since she was elementary up until college. She was the suma cum laude in their batch. She's a CPA, one of the top notchers. That is why she doesn't allow anyone to get...
