Lawyer resolves strange case of son demanding… father's imprisonment

Lawyer Thuan and the old man after the appeal hearing.

The story of father and son conflict

During his 20 years of practice, Lawyer Nguyen Dinh Thuan (Ho Chi Minh City Bar Association) has experienced many cases with many lives. Each trial is a fate and behind it are stories full of twists and turns that have never been told. The legal profession faces many obstacles, but Lawyer Thuan is still proud to have dedicated colleagues to accompany him, and to have good judges who listen and understand.

“So many “bad” stories appearing in this pragmatic, money-driven era make me worry. I want to get involved in those cases, first to teach my children and grandchildren about morality, and secondly to contribute my efforts to society. I am afraid that when money becomes king, all social ethics will also decline,” said Lawyer Thuan.

In his mind, Lawyer Thuan still cannot forget the haunting image of a skinny old man, his hands holding the bar tightly because he could not stand firmly. That was the image of an old man (84 years old, Can Tho City) being "imprisoned" by his son because of a land dispute, leading to a fight between father and son.

“Reading the article about the incident, I couldn’t help myself. Where is the filial piety? If your father is at fault, let the law handle it. But at the trial, the son dared to utter words demanding that the court put his father in jail to feel better. That same night, I called many reporters I knew to get the old man’s phone number. I wanted to defend him for free in court,” said Lawyer Thuan.

During the night, Lawyer Thuan contacted the old man and was accepted for a free defense. Lawyer Thuan also mobilized close colleagues. There were eight lawyers participating and all travel and accommodation expenses were paid for by Lawyer Thuan himself.

The first time he met the old man during a business trip to the West, Lawyer Thuan heard the story: “He was old and weak. The father and son had been arguing over a piece of land for many years, so the conflict was getting worse. Seeing his son calling for people to build on the disputed land, the old man tried to stop him, but his son scolded him and rushed in. Angry, he grabbed a machete and swung it around, injuring his son. The injury was not serious, with an 8% rate. The son filed a complaint, requesting criminal prosecution. At the age of 84, he had to stand in court. It was heartbreaking for a non-blood relative to see that image, let alone a son, who was born and raised by his parents.”

…and a happy ending

“The old man walked unsteadily, with a pure Southern figure, a Vietnamese traditional dress, a checkered scarf wrapped around his head, gray hair, and wrinkled, freckled skin. The more we looked at him and listened to him, the more heartbroken we became. The law has deterrence but is very lenient. A tolerant judge will bring hope so that his family will not have to bear more pain. I believe in that,” Lawyer Thuan emotionally recounted.

Having gone on two official business trips and visited the old man dozens of times during each business trip passing by his house, Lawyer Thuan felt more and more responsible for the case. The responsibility of how to make the son understand that "demanding to put his father in jail" is immoral. How to make the old man not go to jail. And how to make those who are interested in the case consider themselves when taking actions, especially towards family members. Society has laws, but not everything has to be dragged to court, not everything has to be done in a way that is not in accordance with the good traditions of the nation.

“On the day of the trial, the old man was taken to court by his other son on a “broken-down” motorbike. While his son and daughter-in-law drove a billion-dollar car. Sitting on a stone bench waiting for the trial, the “near-death” old man said he could not sleep last night. When the trial came, his legs were shaking, he held onto his son, and groped his way up the stairs to the courtroom. At the trial, he said that because his son had restrained and attacked him, he used a knife to defend himself.”

“The court that day was packed with people. Many neighbors came to encourage the old man. The jury presented many reasonable and logical arguments and analyses. The lawyers also discussed many issues of duty, morality, blood relations, and no one supported the story of “a son demanding to imprison his father”… so that all parties could understand and preserve it. It was unexpected that what happened at the court session was responded to. After a while of listening to our analysis, the son realized the problem,” said Lawyer Thuan.

Lawyer Thuan continued: “However, because the situation developed too quickly, the son still could not completely get over his anger, so he still asked his father to apologize before he withdrew the petition. Seeing that the matter was almost over, we only needed to take one more final step to mend the family rift, so the lawyers apologized to the son on behalf of the old man. As a result, with the hard work and patience of those determined to uphold morality, the lawyers and the Trial Council resolved the serious conflict between father and son. Everyone was truly overwhelmed when the old man's son agreed to withdraw the petition to end the case,” said Lawyer Thuan.

The case has stopped. The efforts of the lawyers were rewarded when the old man did not have to go to jail. The lawyers hope that in the remaining time ahead, the old man's family will truly end the unhappy days, and the family relationship will be truly mended with love. The old man is sick and ill, and one day when the weather changes, the son will always be there to take care of his old father. Only then will it be complete!