Fiery Lawyer Puts China's Judiciary on Trial

After a speedy trial laced with controversy, a Chongqing court recently sentenced Beijing-based lawyer Li Zhuang to 30 months in jail for pressuring a client to testify falsely.

The January 8 conviction was a nasty turn of events for Li, 48, who was representing an alleged crime figure in a case tied to Chongqing's ongoing effort to stamp out organized crime. Only 28 days elapsed between his arrest and the sentencing.

Li pledged an appeal, saying he's won nationwide support from the legal community. "China's 160,000 lawyers will appeal on my behalf," Li said as police led him from the courtroom. "Time will bring truth into the sunlight."

And as soon as the gavel fell, the debate over Li expanded to encompass a nationwide discussion over judicial due process, as well as the professional and social challenges facing trial attorneys in China.

Lawyers across the country have generally defended Li in the public sphere, saying his case points to a need to protect lawyers as they practice their profession and uphold the right of every accused citizen to have access to a defense attorney.

Tough Talk

Li has a sharp tongue. And while being tried as a defendant for the first time December 30, 2009, he snapped at the judges and procurators.

He began his defense by asking that the judges and procurators withdraw on conflict of interest grounds, citing their direct involvement in his case. The plea was denied. He then filed for withdrawal of the court panel, but that also was denied, as were his later requests that the sitting judge and chief procurator pull out of the case.

Tense moments were frequent during the 14-hour trial. At one point, Li turned to the panel and lashed out: "Why don't you go to the bathroom, come back and tell me that a decision was reached by the panel. That would sound more convincing."

Confrontations with law enforcement and judicial staffers are nothing new to Li, who has a reputation as a fearless, even reckless lawyer who has practiced the craft for 14 years.

During an April 2007 trial, Li raked through 1,000 pages of documents before finding evidence that his client had been tortured and forced to give false testimony. He then delivered a tough defense speech in a courtroom in the city of Shahe, Hebei Province. As soon as the trial ended, Li was taken into custody and detained for five hours. Li sued the police department but lost.