Taking roles as judges, lawyers, and procurators, law students had a heated discussion on the details of a crime, perpetrated in aggravating and extenuating circumstances.
On January 11th Economics and Law students from Vietnam National University in HCMC and Duy Tan University held a mock hearing for the fist-instance trial of an illegal street racing case, in an exchange program between the two universities to broaden students' legal knowledge and experience.
Law students in the role of judicial panelists
According to the “script”, the students took the roles of members of the judicial panel of the Hai Chau district People’s Court. The case was as follows: At around 10 pm on August 4th, 2015, after drinking, Nguyen Huy Vu is coaxed into street racing by his friends. Inebriated, Vu gives in to his friends’ cajoling. During the race, Vu notices he is trailing behind and accelerates, swerving through traffic to get to the front. Unable to control his speed, he causes an accident knocking Mr and Mrs B. down. Vu does not stop to help and keeps going. Brought to the emergency department in time, Mr and Mrs B.’s lives are not endangered, but Mr B. suffered wounds to 50% of his body and Mrs B. on 35%.
At the hearing, the prosecution argued that the defendant was aware of his actions, that he is a student living in a healthy environment, but that he still scorns the law and thinks lightly of other people’s lives. The defense lawyer argued that his client did not participate in the street racing due to a disregard for human life, but because he needed to get away from the despair of his parents’ divorce. He therefore petitioned the judges to reduce the sentence. The fact that Vu ran away after the accident was not because he was ignoring the consequences, but because he was afraid, proved by the fact that he later turned himself in to the police.
After considering the circumstances, the judges concluded that 22 year-old defendant was aware of his actions, and that he had abused the law in spite of being a student. The defendant knew well that street racing and swerving through traffic could cause accidents, but he still disregarded the law. Nonetheless, the defendant was judged to be a good person in difficult circumstances, and the panel sentenced Nguyen Huy Vu to five years in prison.
“The fictitious hearing gave us a deeper understanding of our future career, which improves our studying,” a student explained. “We also acquired much practical knowledge.”
(Media Center)