Lay judges in Japan
In Japan, there is a type of judge called a "lay judge." They are regular citizens who are selected by the government to help decide cases in court.
When a trial involves serious crimes such as murder or robbery, a panel of six lay judges and three professional judges work together to make a decision in the case. The professional judges are trained legal experts and the lay judges are chosen randomly from the community. They are not legal experts and do not have formal legal training, but they are representative of the general population.
The lay judges play an important role because they bring a different perspective to the case. They help ensure that the verdict reflects the opinions and values of ordinary citizens, not just the opinions of legal experts. This system is meant to increase the public's trust in the justice system and promote fairness in the legal process.
Before the trial begins, the lay judges are given information about the case and are trained on how to participate in the trial. They are not allowed to speak to anyone about the case outside of the courtroom and are not allowed to have any preconceived notions about the case or the defendant.
During the trial, the lay judges listen to evidence, ask questions, and deliberate with the professional judges before making a decision. They are expected to use their own judgement, but must also consider the opinions of the professional judges. After the trial, the lay judges participate in sentencing decisions as well.
Overall, having lay judges in Japan is seen as a way to improve the transparency and fairness of the justice system, and to ensure that regular citizens have a say in important legal decisions.
When a trial involves serious crimes such as murder or robbery, a panel of six lay judges and three professional judges work together to make a decision in the case. The professional judges are trained legal experts and the lay judges are chosen randomly from the community. They are not legal experts and do not have formal legal training, but they are representative of the general population.
The lay judges play an important role because they bring a different perspective to the case. They help ensure that the verdict reflects the opinions and values of ordinary citizens, not just the opinions of legal experts. This system is meant to increase the public's trust in the justice system and promote fairness in the legal process.
Before the trial begins, the lay judges are given information about the case and are trained on how to participate in the trial. They are not allowed to speak to anyone about the case outside of the courtroom and are not allowed to have any preconceived notions about the case or the defendant.
During the trial, the lay judges listen to evidence, ask questions, and deliberate with the professional judges before making a decision. They are expected to use their own judgement, but must also consider the opinions of the professional judges. After the trial, the lay judges participate in sentencing decisions as well.
Overall, having lay judges in Japan is seen as a way to improve the transparency and fairness of the justice system, and to ensure that regular citizens have a say in important legal decisions.