KUALA LUMPUR: A lawyer has claimed trial at the Magistrate's Court here over a fake document on a protection order that he allegedly handed over to his client.
Adly Zulfadhly Zulkefly, 29, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before Magistrate MS Arunjothy here on Thursday (Nov 28).
According to the charge sheet, Adly was accused of dishonestly handing over a document as authentic - which was an ex-parte protection order dated Aug 3, 2023 - to a 36-year-old woman when he knew the document to be fake.
The offence was allegedly committed at the Wilayah Persekutuan Syariah Court Complex some time in August, last year.
Adly was charged under Section 471 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum two years in jail or fine or both, if convicted.
Earlier, Deputy Public Prosecutor Vivi’Asnita Zaina’Larifin offered bail at RM10,000.
However, Adly's lawyer Azlina Abdul Aziz sought a lower bail amount on grounds that Adly had cooperated during the investigation.
"The father of the accused is only a trader and does not have a fixed income. He has two siblings who are still schooling," Azlina said.
Adly, who also mitigated for himself, asked for a bail of less than RM5,000.
"My cash flow is low and this is all my family could afford," he said.
He also asked the court to consider that he was a lawyer.
DPP Vivi'Asnita, however, objected and said that the accused was no longer practising.
"Before me is a confirmation letter from the Bar Council that the accused's practising certificate was only valid in 2023 and his last month of practice was in February, 2023," she said.
Adly refuted and said there was an update on his status as a lawyer.
Magistrate Arunjothy then fixed bail at RM3,500 in one surety.
The case is set for mention on Feb 5, next year.
