prosecutes | Statement § 5

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Statement § 5

Attention, all residents of Somarium:

While the recent festivities have been relatively peaceful and free from any major incidents, there has been an increase in criminal activity elsewhere, most notably in the Industrial District. Those who have business in that area are highly advised to take extreme caution when proceeding about their daily activities. Residences and vehicles should always be locked, unlit areas are best avoided at nighttime and traveling alone is not at all recommended.

As always, remember to notify the police at once if you witness a crime or even suspect that one might be taking place in the near future. All calls are strictly confidential. Those who believe their lives to be in danger should call Prosecutor Franziska von Karma who is currently in charge of the Witness Protection Program. All other inquiries may be made in response to this broadcast.

That is all.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Criminal activities? Of what kind?

Gang-related activities, robberies and other various acts of vilence.

That sounds awful. Do you have any leads on the possible suspects?

Many have already been placed under arrest, but others take their place quickly enough.

They are quick to be replaced, aren't they? Are you the one who is in charge of handling these sort of issues?

Any man or woman willing to take up such a dishonorable profession will find themselves behind bars for their actions. Inspector Javert and his men patrol the streets to ensure this. As Chief Prosecutor, it is my duty to investigate crime scenes and pursue the matter in court, seeking the truth behind what really occurred. This is only done after the officers make their initial arrest, of course.

So you are involved with the process. I'm sure you're aware of the situation more so than the other citizens of Somarium. In the event that one of us discovers wrong doing, are you a sufficient source to report to?

While it's preferred that you contact the police department directly, I can pass on the message as well. However, where officers may be more forgiving in the matter, I will not take kindly to false alarms.

[In other words, if you're going to get the Chief Prosecutor involved, it better be good.]

I see, a man who is busy. Well if I happen to come across anything particularly deviant I'll pass the word along.

Thank you.

I've yet to experience any problems.

[This might be because his apartment is booby-trapped and very few people want to mess with a guy who looks like he could break a man in half.]

We've received reports of various incidents taking place all throughout the district. [The sound of shuffling papers can be heard as Edgeworth looks for something in a file drawer. Though Liquid can't see it in the view of the Dreamberry screen, Edgeworth now holds a folder labeled Moriarty, James. A quick glance at the basic information reveals what he was looking for. He knows where you live.]

...A particularly violent gang has been holding meetings not far from the Infinite Complex.

[He might know where Liquid lives, but he sure as hell isn't getting inside it anytime soon.]

Is that so? Well, come to think of it, I suppose I do recall a few more delinquents hanging around than usual.

[Some of them had tried to mug him once.]

[They never tried it again.]

[He's not going anywhere near that place without several officers and maybe a SWAT team on standby.]

Have you reported any of this to the police?

[Pansy.]

Nothing has occurred that I've felt was necessary to report.

[Not that he'd report anything to the police. Sorry, but you bastards cut his hair. He will forever have a vendetta against you and your ranks, and especially against Javert.]

I see. Do give us a call if you see anything worth reporting, then.

[Though Liquid hasn't been up to much (that the police know of, anyway) since the fight with his brother, he's still on the list of dangerous individuals to watch out for. Edgeworth doesn't trust him much, and he certainly doesn't approve of his choice to refrain from wearing shirts when out in public.]

I'll be sure to do so.

[Right. When Hell freezes over.]

[If it was possible to direct shirtlessness specifically at a person, then Liquid was totally being shirtless at Edgeworth right now. So. Shirtless.]

Think what you will of us, but do remember that the police force is in place to protect all citizens of Somarium, even past offenders.

[Well, Liquid could always have the Dreamberry zoom in on his chest, but that might be a little over the top, even for him.]

How unfortunate for me to have missed the recent festivities and wake up to messages of an increase in criminal activity across Somarium.

A prolonged sleep? Yes, those are indeed troublesome when they occur. Rest assured, the police is doing everything within their power to bring this appalling crime rate down.

The police? I'm more interested in how you are handling the matter and the role you play as far as the police department is concerned.

As chief prosecutor, I uphold the law and fight against those who believe themselves to be above it. After the police makes their arrest and a proper investigation is conducted, the suspect will be brought to court, where I will discover the truth. Those deemed guilty will pay for their actions.

These criminals are no different from any before them. One by one, they will be brought to justice.

Your convictions are so strong, Prosecutor Edgeworth. I am extremely impressed and I look forward to seeing how you perform in court, especially given how passionate you are for justice.

I, too, have spent a great deal of my time in an attempt to bring down evil... but I can't do very much as I am still quite young.

Age does not always have to be a determining factor. I passed the bar exam at the age of twenty, and Prosecutor Franziska von Karma even did so at the young age of thirteen. Perhaps things were more difficult in your home world, I cannot know for certain, but here in Somarium, we take both skill and dedication to upholding justice into account as worthy merits.

Suppose, Prosecutor Edgeworth, that there is an evil that justice cannot bring down, despite your skill and dedication. Please, do not take my words the wrong way, as I have seen for myself the immense skill both you and Prosecutor von Karma possess. I am just... curious.

What would you do? Certainly this is something that has crossed your mind, with the kind of work you do. Would you taint your hands with evil to destroy evil? Or would you carry out your own justice and succumb to that evil?

[A memory stirs -- Edgeworth recalls several incidents from his life. The first is his original education. Manfred von Karma taught him to do whatever necessary to prosecute and convict defendants. Several years of nothing but guilty verdicts and a perfect record were thrown into question when a certain man proved to him that things are not always as they seem. Losing to Phoenix Wright showed Edgeworth that his way was not the absolute truth -- not every defendant was guilty, thus a perfect record no longer mattered.

The second recollection is that of Manfred von Karma himself, Edgeworth's foster father and mentor. For fifteen years, the man covered up the fact that he was the one who killed Edgeworth's father. He deceived everyone, covered up truths and forged evidence to get his way and maintain his perfect record of several decades. In the end, he even attempted the same to have Edgeworth convicted for a murder he did not commit.

The third is a more recent incident involving the extraterritorial rights of a murderer who nearly got away thanks to his status.

However, all of these serve to solidify Edgeworth's perspective on the matter. He believes in the justice system and its ability to adapt to many situations. Above all, no matter what the circumstances may be, he refuses to taint his hands with evil. Even when his father's murderer was running free in Somarium, Edgeworth did not succumb to any temptation to do something about it and seek revenge.

His expression remains stern as he answers.]

Never. The legal system is not so inflexible that we must resort to criminal actions in order to carry out the law. There is always a way to bring the truth to the light, to punish those who have done wrong and to free those who have been wrongly accused. Two wrongs do not make a right, and two evils do not bring about justice.

How comforting and noble to see that the legal system in Somarium, as it stands under your jurisdiction, is not filled with corruption.

I admit, I was hesitant, at first, to approach you and Prosecutor von Karma because of the experiences I've had with the legal system where I am from... but this gives me the reassurance I needed.

Edited 2010-10-02 06:19 (UTC)

It's unfortunate that not every organization is run with the proper integrity, but I will not tolerate such corruption from any member of Somarium's legal system.

[There are many who would abuse the legal system for their own evil purposes, and while Edgeworth is aware of this, he has no reason whatsoever to suspect the polite young man he is speaking with. Lelouch is just about picture-perfect, and while something about that is strange in and of itself, Edgeworth dismisses it with a simple answer; In a sense, Lelouch reminds him of himself.

He would gladly hire Lelouch as an intern and teach him the ways of the prosecutor.]

I'm glad you understand.

I would never tolerate such corruption, either... a shame that I had to put up with things like corruption where I am from.

It's so wonderful that we see eye-to-eye on these things, Prosecutor. If you don't mind my asking, when would be a good time for me to stop by and take a look at your office, perhaps get a view of what your daily courtroom activities are like?

[ew, criminal activities are uncivilized and gross.]

Specifically what sort of criminal activity, if I might ask?

It ranges from small misdemeanors to grave felonies. The worst thus far have been a series of robberies, turf wars between gang members and even several drive-by shootings.

Edited 2010-09-30 06:45 (UTC)

I think I'd rather have the natives here throwing pumpkins again than things of that nature.

Perhaps that might be the case in a perfect dream world, but Somarium is as vulnerable to such problems as any other civilization.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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