[3] Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, multiple criminal cases of fraud involving epidemic prevention supplies have occurred nationwide. As a legal professional, I have been closely following such criminal cases. On March 3, 2020, the first four epidemic-related cases in Futian District were filed and accepted. Appointed by the Futian District Legal Aid Office, I had the honor of serving as the defense attorney for the defendants in three of these criminal legal aid cases related to the epidemic.

一、[4] Accepting the assignment and diligently preparing for the defense.

[5] Due to the impact of the epidemic, much work has been at a standstill. However, to protect the legitimate rights and interests of criminal suspects, the Futian District Legal Aid Office, upon receiving the court notice on March 3, immediately informed the lawyers handling the epidemic-related cases and held a seminar. Given the extremely tight timeline, I sought help from the legal aid office staff to coordinate case file review and arrange detention center visitation appointments. With their active coordination, the case file review and detention center visitation went smoothly. After completing the case file review, to ensure high-quality completion of the epidemic-related legal aid cases, I promptly organized relevant laws, regulations, and judicial interpretations, searched for similar cases, formed preliminary defense opinions, and fully prepared for meeting the clients.

II. Meeting with the defendant,fully safeguardingthe defendant'slegal rights.

Detention centers are places with high population density. Once someone falls ill, the consequences would be disastrous. Therefore, during the epidemic, all detention centers have adopted a series of restrictive measures. In addition to routine procedures, lawyers must also have their temperature taken, provide a record of their activities over the past 30 days, sign an affidavit stating they have not been in contact with patients or suspected patients, wear gloves and shoe covers, and undergo disinfection before entering the meeting area for a video meeting.

Although the quarantine procedures are cumbersome, video meetings still fully safeguard the defendant's legal rights. As usual, the author introduces their identity and the purpose of the meeting, asking the defendant whether they agree to have the author serve as their defense counsel. After obtaining the defendant's consent, the author begins to discuss the case with the defendant. The author verifies the case details learned from case review with the defendant one by one, and thoroughly inquires about their motives for committing the crime and any other circumstances that could prove the defendant's guilt is minor or that they are innocent. The author asks the defendant whether the plea agreement they signed was voluntary, and then informs them of the relevant provisions of the plea agreement and the trial procedures. At the end of the meeting, the author seeks the defendant's opinion on the defense strategy and asks if there is anything the defendant wishes to convey to their family.

3. Court defense appearances,4. Fair and open court trials

5. The first batch of epidemic prevention material fraud cases heard by Futian Court were all conducted via live-streamed trials. Apart from the defendants appearing via video and on-site personnel wearing masks, the entire trial procedure proceeded as usual, orderly following legal procedures under the presiding judge's direction.

6. The three cases handled by the author all involved false advertising through WeChat. After defrauding victims of their money, the defendants either failed to deliver goods or sent empty packages, then immediately blocked the victims. The prosecution and defense had no substantial disputes over the facts and evidence of these cases. The author's role was to legally strive for appropriate sentences for the defendants based on their actions and harm caused. In two of the cases, the defendants had obtained victims' forgiveness and fully returned the stolen funds. The author did their utmost to secure favorable sentencing ranges for the defendants, providing quality legal defense. Among the first four cases, except for one where the defendant received a four-and-a-half-year sentence, the three cases handled by the author resulted in sentences ranging from eleven months to one year and three months.

四、7. Reflections on case handling
 

8. As the first batch of epidemic-related cases in Futian Court, they were broadcast live nationwide with immediate verdicts. The court used this method to deter illegal and criminal activities, promptly expose fraud tactics related to the epidemic, and enhance the public's ability to prevent and identify scams. Based on the court's judgments, such epidemic-related fraud crimes received significantly heavier sentences compared to ordinary fraud cases involving similar amounts, reflecting extraordinary measures during extraordinary times. On the basis of respecting facts and fully protecting the rights of criminal suspects, severely cracking down on epidemic-related crimes helps maintain social stability and quickly restore normal life order. As a lawyer, the author also contributed modestly to the fight against the epidemic by fulfilling their professional duties.