When Justice Is Ajar

It is late in the morning at the public finance centre reception desk. This is where citizens pay fines for minor crimes. I’m checking my receipts while the coworker to my right is with the last client.

This client is angry, and I’m listening in case I need to intervene or go get the manager if it’s directed at my coworker.

I see that he’s holding up a criminal conviction statement.

Client: “…What’s more, it’s because of the mayor of my village! He was blocking the road with his tractor, so I got out, and yes, we got angry, but he lied in court!”

Coworker: “Okay…”

Client: “He says I slapped him, but that’s not true! I just… deliberately opened my car door on his head.”

Since we’re not supposed to be judgmental, we don’t say anything to his face. He pays his fine. It’s within the thirty-day deadline, so my coworker gives him the 20% legal discount.

After the client leaves:

Me: “Um, am I wrong, or is what he did worse?”

Coworker: “Yes, it’s worse! A slap is violence without temporary incapacity to work. Well, there’s an aggravating circumstance here because it was against an elected official. But the door can really hurt, and you could have been convicted with much worse in this case!”

Me: “He was lucky that the mayor only said it was a slap!”