From a mobile court session
(Baonghean)In addition to strictly adjudicating cases of law violations at the courthouse, in recent years the Provincial People's Court has paid great attention to holding mobile court sessions publicly in front of a large number of local people. This is an effective information "channel" to disseminate information, helping people raise their awareness of law compliance, and at the same time contributing to deterring various types of crime.
From early morning, even before the judges arrived, a large crowd had gathered at the Con Cuong District Cultural Center to witness the mobile court trial of defendant Vi Tuan Thanh (born in 1967, residing in Son Ha village, Tam Quang commune, Tuong Duong district) on charges of "illegally trading narcotics." The large number of attendees made the atmosphere inside and outside the cultural center even more tense, but no one left. Some even traveled from their villages, carrying bags and packed lunches, standing around the hall to listen to the proceedings.
According to the indictment of the Provincial People's Procuracy, on November 30, 2012, Vi Tuan Thanh (residing in Son Ha village, Tam Quang commune, Tuong Duong district) went to Hoa Binh town, Tuong Duong district, where he met and befriended a young man named Binh from Vinh. During their conversation, Binh asked Thanh if anyone there sold drugs. Thanh replied, "There are plenty in Tuong Duong and Meo." Binh then asked for Thanh's phone number and left. About a week later, Binh brought a drug buyer to meet Thanh at Thanh's house in Son Ha village. The person accompanying Binh proposed buying a block of heroin and agreed to give Thanh 2 million dong after the transaction was completed.
At approximately 2 PM on December 13, 2012, Thanh rode his motorbike to Khe Nằn village, Chiêu Lưu commune, Kỳ Sơn district, and hired an unknown drug addict for 500,000 VND to guide him to a Meo person to buy drugs. After meeting the Meo person, Thanh bought 9 grams of heroin for 17 million VND and hid it at home. On December 19, 2012, the young man (Binh's friend) called Thanh to ask if he had bought the drugs. Thanh replied that he had the drugs and arranged to pick them up. At around 8 PM that same day, at Thanh's house, while the two were conducting a drug transaction, law enforcement officers raided the premises. However, only Thanh was apprehended; the young man who bought the drugs managed to escape. In the official report, after removing the packaging, the Provincial Police Investigation Department determined that the total weight of the seized evidence, after removing the packaging, was 33.195 grams of white powder, identified as heroin.
A mobile court session was held in Bao Thanh commune (Yen Thanh district).
During the trial, while observing the proceedings, we noticed occasional applause and occasional murmurs of disagreement. However, at the end of the trial, the panel of judges sentenced the defendant Vi Tuan Thanh to 15 years in prison for the crime of "illegally trading narcotics." Everyone agreed that this was a fair and reasonable sentence, both in principle and in practice. Mr. Luong Van Mai, residing in Chi Khe commune, stated: "The questioning and sentencing process by the panel of judges was clear and transparent."
"The defendant's actions caused serious harm to social order. Therefore, such a sentence is appropriate." According to him, if cases like this were tried at the courthouse, fewer people would come to witness and observe. The deterrent and educational impact would not be as great as when trials are held locally. Sharing Mr. Mai's view, Ms. Lan, residing in Bong Khe commune, said: "Mobile court sessions like these not only contribute to the dissemination of legal education to the people but also have a deterrent effect on those intending to commit crimes. Therefore, the Provincial People's Court needs to hold more mobile court sessions."
Present at the trial, Mr. Nguyen Hong Son, an official from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Center of Con Cuong district, also stated: "Each case has a different nature of crime, therefore the deterrent and educational impact also differs. However, if the trial were held at the provincial court headquarters, people would not be able to leave their work to travel nearly a hundred kilometers to Vinh to attend. While the trial is held locally, in addition to attending in person, many people from afar can also listen through the public address system. Therefore, the effectiveness of legal education will be very high."
According to statistics, 213 mobile court sessions have been held in various localities since the beginning of the year. The Provincial People's Court alone has organized 7 mobile court sessions. Mr. Vi Văn Chắt, Chief Judge of the Criminal Court of the Provincial People's Court, stated: The cases brought to mobile court sessions are typical cases involving crimes such as murder, human trafficking, and drug trafficking, thus attracting a large number of people. Therefore, the locations chosen for these sessions are usually cultural centers or sports fields in the localities where the crimes occurred.
Thus, it can be affirmed that mobile court sessions have contributed to raising legal awareness among the general public. These sessions also help people understand the methods and tactics used by various types of criminals, thereby fostering a sense of vigilance and caution. However, to attract public attention to mobile court sessions, in addition to focusing on selecting cases for trial, judicial officials need to further improve their questioning and argumentation skills. Furthermore, local authorities need to proactively gather public opinion and coordinate effectively.
Ensure security and order before, during, and after the trial. Provide timely information so that all residents in the area are aware and can attend. Local authorities with individuals under their supervision or education should "summon" them to hear the trial and use it as a lesson for themselves.
Text and photos: Dang Nguyen
