In times like this, the answer was to just follow procedure. But I couldn't help but be intrigued by Judge Emir's next words.
"The parties are crying out loud in front of the court. They are denouncing their pitiful circumstances."
"It's not like it's some kind of mortal sin. What are they doing?" I asked, puzzled.
"People who feel sorry for them are pouring in petitions," he explained.
If I listened, it seemed like it would set a bad precedent, but if I ignored it, I feared public criticism. It was a nerve-racking situation.
No matter what choice I made, it felt like it was going to be the worst.
"Let's find out what's going on," I decided.
"First of all, it is theft. The individual stole food because it was difficult to make a living."
Stealing due to hunger? What was this, some kind of Jean Valjean scenario?
The more I heard, the more it became a headache. Given the narrative, sympathy was naturally bound to arise.
