Chapter 493: Just lit a lousy floor mat at your place, and you call that Arson?

In order to make subsequent communication slightly more convenient, Zhou Yi still dialed Fang Dazhuang's number to consult him on the situation in advance, so that it would be easier to discuss later.

At the law firm, Fang Dazhuang had just used his sixth alt account online to argue a Netizen into a state of social withdrawal; to him, this was just a way to relax.

In Fang Dazhuang's own words, he was saving those lost Netizens online, and he believed that after his education, the other party would certainly not continue to spray abuse at people online so casually.

As it happened, his phone rang at this very moment. He picked it up, saw it was Zhou Yi, and immediately laughed:

"Hello, Zhou Yi, what's up? Got more business? Let me tell you, even a donkey on a production team needs to rest; you're taking too good care of my business, aren't you? Many people at the firm have already gone on vacation."

Although the last case didn't achieve the milestone of a 60,000-person Collective Litigation, the big guys at the law firm had solidly produced evidence for at least 10,000 people.

This wasn't something one law firm could accomplish; they had united multiple law firms in Jingzhou and then called upon a bunch of Interns and workhorses to work together before finally finishing it.

Collective Litigation sounds very satisfying, but it requires financial resources, material resources, and manpower—none can be missing.

"This time it's not about taking care of your business, just looking for a consultation. Tell me, if someone intentionally sets fire to a floor mat at the doorway, does that constitute Arson?" Zhou Yi's voice sounded from the phone.

"A floor mat was set on fire? Intentionally?" Fang Dazhuang was a bit dumbfounded.

After all, he was a professionally trained Lawyer with broad experience, but even he couldn't help it this time—who would intentionally set fire to that thing?

"Yes, it was intentionally set on fire. Wait a second, I'll send you the video."

Zhou Yi sent that piece of Monitoring video over via WeChat. Fang Dazhuang hurriedly clicked to watch it; it really was intentionally set on fire!

"What is going on here? This is a kid, right? He doesn't look very old. What's the reason?"

Zhou Yi roughly explained what happened in the morning, and even Fang Dazhuang couldn't stand it at this point.

"Zhou Yi, I think you should go somewhere to pray. I feel like you have something unclean on you. Seriously, how can you encounter such neighbors everywhere you go?"

Of course, this didn't really count as a neighbor; they were in two different units.

But it was excellent for a bit of banter.

"Fang Dazhuang..."

"Haha, alright, no more jokes. I've looked at your matter carefully just now. Let me put it this way: this neighbor's kid really has guts!"

"You could say that with this behavior, he might have already secured himself three years of Detention."

Hearing such a "criminal" remark, Zhou Yi felt a jolt of spirit. Last time he didn't manage to get that brat inside, but this time there was actually a chance?

Why school bullying happens so often, everyone basically knows.

"I told you last time, Arson is not based on the requirement that Serious Consequences must occur. How did you forget that?"

Zhou Yi suddenly remembered. Fang Dazhuang had mentioned when talking about Conduct Crime that for Arson, one looks at the act itself.

As long as your behavior meets the Constitutive Elements of the crime, then even if there are no Serious Consequences, it still constitutes a crime.

Most importantly, as long as Arson is established, it's three to ten years; if there are Serious Consequences, it starts from ten years and goes up—no upper limit!

This is a very ancient charge. We often say "murder and arson, murder and arson"—these two things are always mentioned together.

Among the Eight Malicious Crimes, Arson is one of them, so you can understand the severity of this crime.

In modern society, there is zero tolerance for intentional arson!

"So my advice is, call the police. Trust me, for something like this, the relevant departments will be more concerned than you are."

Hanging up the phone, Zhou Yi stopped worrying and headed back home.

There were remnants of the burnt floor mat at the doorway. Looking up, his own Camera was fine, but the Property Management Camera had been smoked black.

The door was also smoked black, but for a modern anti-theft door, this thing shouldn't be able to catch fire under normal circumstances...

He didn't know what material this floor mat was made of; once lit, the fire was exceptionally large.

After waiting for a short while, two police officers rushed over in a hurry.

It was truly speechless. Chen Li and Lao Wu had just finished the Detention procedures for Jiang Xiangming and were just preparing to eat a couple of bites of food.

As a result, just as the food was served, a police report came in, and they had to head out again.

And the most important thing was that it was Zhou Yi!

However, the police report mentioned Arson. Chen Li had called Zhou Yi on the way, but couldn't get through; it was always busy.

They hurried upstairs and saw a certain handsome guy sitting at the doorway playing on his phone.

"What's going on? Why is it being called Arson again... Ah, it was burned here?"

Chen Li hadn't even finished her sentence before she saw the marks at the doorway and asked hurriedly.

"That's right, it was set on fire by that kid named Jiang Zifeng from this morning," Zhou Yi replied.

As he spoke, he took out his phone and pulled up the Monitoring video.

"Take a look. It was just a while ago. This kid walked over, looked at the door, then took out a lighter and set the floor mat on fire."

Chen Li and Lao Wu took the phone and watched. There was nothing to say; the evidence was conclusive.

But she was very curious: "What's wrong with this kid? Why did he want to set fire to your mat?"

Zhou Yi shook his head: "I don't get it, but I think it might be because of the police report this morning."

"Alright, you wait here first. We'll go to his house and ask. This really has to be with his dad..."

Chen Li and the other officer crossed the fire corridor to the opposite side and knocked on the door.

Soon the door opened, and it was a middle-aged woman.

The middle-aged woman was named Zou Sujuan, Jiang Zifeng's mother. Seeing the two police officers at the door, she was a bit surprised: "May I ask... is something the matter?"

Chen Li spoke up: "Hello, is Jiang Zifeng at home?"

Zou Sujuan frowned and said: "Zifeng? Is there something wrong? Didn't you just take my husband away this morning?"

Speaking of this, the expression on Zou Sujuan's face was very unpleasant.

Even though there were reasons, having her husband taken away for Detention just felt very frustrating.

Lao Wu said: "Your husband was barbecuing over there at the end of last month. This is an illegal act; open flames are strictly prohibited inside our residential buildings."

"But we are here now regarding your son. You see, either let him come out, or we can go in."

If this were an adult, who would waste words? They would just go up and summon them directly.

But after all, he is a minor, so his privacy needs to be protected in this regard.

Zou Sujuan shouted directly: "What is the meaning of this? Why does it involve my son again? Does it mean you want to take my son away too? He is only fifteen years old, still a minor! Don't think I don't know the law!"

"No, no, ma'am, your son's matter has nothing to do with the barbecue; it is another matter, and we do indeed need to summon him to return with us!" Lao Wu said directly.

"So please be sure to tell us clearly where Jiang Zifeng is; do not hide anything."

Zou Sujuan still said: "He is at home."

Soon Jiang Zifeng was called out, and Lao Wu stepped forward and asked: "Jiang Zifeng, right? Did you set fire to the doormat at the entrance of the house across the way?"

When this question was asked, Zou Sujuan beside him frowned again; she felt these police officers were making a mountain out of a molehill—it was just lighting a mat, how could it be so serious that they had to take him away...

Jiang Zifeng was confused and subconsciously replied: "That... I didn't light it."

"Not you? We have already checked the Monitoring, and it was you who went over and lit it!" Lao Wu continued.

He actually forgot about the Monitoring again... Jiang Zifeng could only say: "Yes, I lit it."

Zou Sujuan beside him changed her expression and cursed: "Why did you do that? Why go and light someone else's doormat for no reason?"

After finishing, she looked at the police and apologized with a smile: "Officer, our child is only fifteen years old after all, as you can see, he is simply ignorant."

"How much is that mat that was lit? I'll just pay for it, and I will definitely educate him well afterward."

Lao Wu shook his head and said: "That won't work. Your child's current situation is indeed already a bit serious. Do you know what this nature represents? This may be suspected of Arson!"

What? Zou Sujuan was stunned, and then her expression changed drastically: "What Arson? This was just lighting a mat, how is that Arson!"

"That Arson is impossible; even if you are police, you can't talk nonsense!"

Zhou Yi had actually followed along, but he did not show himself and just watched from the side.

Zhou Yi also felt Zou Sujuan's reaction was normal, because in the cognition of us ordinary people, Arson must mean intentionally setting fire to someone else's house, car, or something similar.

Burning a lot of things—that is what is called Arson.

But in fact, that is not the case.

Fang Dazhuang also said that the boundary between a crime and a non-crime for Arson is not the Serious Consequences, but only whether it meets the Constitutive Elements.

Why is it so strict? It is because once a fire occurs, it is too serious, so in this regard, our Criminal Law strikes hard!

Even if it only becomes a fire once in a thousand times, that is not allowed; the harm is too great.

Lao Wu said again: "We are not talking nonsense. Your son's behavior is indeed suspected of Arson. Alright, Jiang Zifeng, come with us!"

Jiang Zifeng is not a fool; he naturally understood this conversation.

I just lit their doormat, and this actually counts as Arson? And I am a minor; they are actually taking a minor away too?

Seeing the two police officers about to take him away, Jiang Zifeng suddenly became anxious.

At this age, one is fearless before things happen, but when one really encounters something, the heart will feel fear.

"Mom, Mom!"

Zou Sujuan beside him blocked Chen Li and the other, and said again: "Officers, officers, please wait a moment. Could there be a mistake? How is this possible..."

"I will say it again, there is no mistake. I am now issuing you your first Warning; please step aside!" Chen Li said.

Seeing that the other party was serious, Zou Sujuan finally stepped aside, but still said: "Can I go back with you? He is so young, and isn't it said that minors will not be held to Criminal Case responsibility?"

"You can go back with us, but if it is determined that the other party committed a crime, you will not be able to see him again. Besides, for Eight Malicious Crimes, those aged fourteen to sixteen must be held to Criminal Case responsibility!"

As the words fell, Zou Sujuan and Jiang Zifeng were both stunned.

Especially Jiang Zifeng; he only had one thought now: Am I really going to jail?

Thinking of this, the corners of his mouth twisted and he began to cry loudly, and he kept struggling, not wanting to go.

But it was useless. When it is determined that you have a problem and need to be summoned, if acting shamelessly could delay it, then what would the police be for?

Lao Wu warned him again and took out his police equipment. Finally, Jiang Zifeng dared not make any more moves and followed the two downstairs.

Following behind was the weeping Zou Sujuan. Her husband went in this morning, and her son was being taken away in the afternoon; what on earth was happening!

Jiang Zifeng was taken to the Police Station and the questioning began. He was indeed a child, but he had indeed done something that endangered public safety.

Especially this time, the evidence was conclusive, so the station applied for Case Filing.

Just as Fang Dazhuang said, in this regard, the relevant departments are more proactive.

The Guangming Branch also attached great importance to this case, and the Legal Affairs Section conducted a special analysis.

There was a disagreement here too; some thought that he was a minor after all, and that door could not possibly be lit, so there should be no problem.

But just at this time, the Property Management reported the crime.

After Zhou Yi called the Property Management over, the Property Management staff discovered that their Monitoring had been burned.

Although it was just one Camera, it belonged to a whole set of Monitoring systems...

In plain language, it was quite expensive.

Report the crime, and then put it all together—needless to say, Case Filing it is.

Although Serious Consequences are not counted in the Constitutive Elements, you have to say that legal provisions are one thing, and practice is another.

When Serious Consequences occur, Case Filing is certain.

When Zou Sujuan received the Criminal Case Filing Notice, she was already dumbfounded; it was really being filed as a case!

And she had checked on Baidu during this time; in this regard, Baidu is still reliable.

Arson is one of the Eight Malicious Crimes, and those over fourteen years old must be held to Criminal Case responsibility. For crimes committed by minors, it can only be appropriately reduced...

But Zifeng is just a child; is he going to jail just like this?

No, Zifeng absolutely cannot go to jail. She hurriedly called her husband, but it was powered off. Only then did she remember that her husband had been administratively detained...

What to do? What on earth should she do?

Zou Sujuan cried very sadly at the entrance of the Police Station. At this moment, she felt that heaven would not answer her, and the earth would not respond.

Should she find a Lawyer?

She took out her phone and started making calls, the same old routine, to see if there were any Lawyers she knew among her relatives and friends.

As it turned out, there wasn't.

Then he decided to consult online; you have to admit, many law firms run a lot of advertisements these days, and you can just click on any one of them to get an online consultation.

At this moment, Zou Sujuan was like a sick person grabbing at any medicine, so she just caught a Lawyer and hurriedly sent over her situation.

The other party replied with a message: "This situation is relatively complex; you can come to the law firm for a face-to-face meeting."

At this time, inside the interrogation room, Jiang Zifeng was there weeping bitterly, truly crying with such sorrow, because he now understood his own predicament.

But, but he didn't want to go to jail; it was just a click, why was it like this!

Second update, there is more, those who want to sleep go ahead and sleep, read it tomorrow.

Thanks to another Newbie, Wenchidage, Feimaowuyu, Wangshizhineng huiwei, thank you brothers for the tips, thank you.

(End of this chapter)