Reasons for my 2nd Appeal
I’m sharing this here because it helps explain the context of my case and the reasons for my second appeal. If nothing else, I hope it also reflects how deeply I care about Taiwan and the life I built there.
Reasons for my second appeal
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Necessity and duress
- I respectfully submit that the brief publication of the rental contract occurred in a context of genuine fear and urgent safety concerns, and was intended as a protective step rather than an act meant to harm anyone. I believe the record supports careful review of whether a necessity/duress framework should have been given fuller consideration in assessing criminal responsibility and proportional outcome.
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Key witness testimony not fully weighed
- I maintain that multiple witnesses could have corroborated the surrounding circumstances (including safety issues, harassment concerns, and my state of distress). I respectfully request that the appellate review consider whether the evidentiary record was evaluated comprehensively and whether the absence or limited consideration of this testimony affected the fairness of the overall assessment.
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Disproportionate sentencing
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The penalties imposed (including substantial fines and a six-month custodial sentence) appear disproportionate to the alleged offense of briefly publishing a rental contract—particularly where the material was removed promptly. I respectfully ask that proportionality be reviewed in light of the surrounding context and the practical consequences of the outcome.
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The penalties imposed (including substantial fines and a six-month custodial sentence) appear disproportionate to the alleged offense of briefly publishing a rental contract—particularly where the material was removed promptly. I respectfully ask that proportionality be reviewed in light of the surrounding context and the practical consequences of the outcome.
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Procedural fairness and language access
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I raise serious concerns regarding procedural fairness, including language access at critical stages. In particular, the absence of an official translator during an important hearing—and any situation in which an opposing party was involved in interpretation—can raise neutrality concerns and may affect comprehension, participation, and equality of arms. I respectfully request review of whether appropriate safeguards were consistently provided.
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I raise serious concerns regarding procedural fairness, including language access at critical stages. In particular, the absence of an official translator during an important hearing—and any situation in which an opposing party was involved in interpretation—can raise neutrality concerns and may affect comprehension, participation, and equality of arms. I respectfully request review of whether appropriate safeguards were consistently provided.
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Ongoing legal pressure and cumulative impact
- The continuing legal actions initiated by the landlord appear to have created an extended pattern of financial and personal pressure over time. I respectfully ask that the appellate review consider the cumulative impact of repeated proceedings and whether the overall process remained balanced, proportionate, and consistent with fairness expectations.
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Merits of the arguments not addressed in substance
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I respectfully submit that key arguments—particularly necessity/duress and the evidentiary context—were not evaluated in a way that fully engaged their merits. I ask that the appeal be considered with substantive attention to these issues so the record can be assessed fairly and completely.
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I respectfully submit that key arguments—particularly necessity/duress and the evidentiary context—were not evaluated in a way that fully engaged their merits. I ask that the appeal be considered with substantive attention to these issues so the record can be assessed fairly and completely.
Final thoughts
In addition to the legal arguments above, I want to note the broader context of prolonged legal pressure and uncertainty, which had serious consequences for my health, livelihood, and ability to remain in Taiwan. The repeated proceedings, complex documents, and limited access to consistent legal assistance created persistent fear and instability. As a foreign resident who called Taiwan home since 2009, I struggled to navigate a process conducted primarily in Chinese without reliable translation support and without the financial means to maintain ongoing representation.
I respectfully submit that the surrounding facts and the full evidentiary context justify careful review, including whether safety concerns, fear/duress, witness testimony, and procedural fairness issues were weighed appropriately in assessing both liability and outcome.
I respectfully ask that the appellate review consider the necessity/duress context, witness evidence, proportionality, and language-access safeguards, and that the full record be assessed with the level of care required to ensure a just resolution.
Video evidence
I later discovered information suggesting it may have been the landlord’s husband who made the concerning phone call referenced in the police report. In a mediation video, he responded to a remark I made by placing multiple cell phones on the table and stating it was not him who called. He then suggested I call the number from which the call came, apparently as a way to demonstrate he was not responsible. I include this here as contextual material for independent reviewers to interpret alongside the underlying record.
