Judge Trial Suspended Over Mask Wear "Not enough to convey the claim" 16:33, June 2
Following the cancellation of the state of emergency, the judge's trial was resumed in Tokyo District Court on the 2nd for the first time in 3 months. There was a problem. The lawyer says, "If you wear a mask, the judge will not be able to fully communicate your claim, which may result in a disadvantage for the defendant."
In the Tokyo District Court, the first trial of two litigation trials was held for the first time in three months, taking measures to prevent infection so that the lay judges could participate with peace of mind.
In the first trial of the murder case held in the morning, the presiding judge asked for the mask to be worn immediately after the court was opened because two defendant lawyers were not wearing masks, but the lawyer said, ``The life of the defendant is dependent. It is difficult to carry out important defenses with the mask on, and I am in good physical condition without approaching the judge,” he refused to wear.
Therefore, the presiding judge interrupted the hearing, obtained the approval of the judge, added acrylic plates between the judge and the lawyer, and resumed in the afternoon.
The Tokyo District Court requires all those present to wear a mask, so the judge said, "I'm sorry that I can't help wearing a mask."
A lawyer told NHK interviewers, "If you wear a mask, you may not be able to understand the facial expression of the lawyer, and you may not be able to fully convey the claim to the judge, which may result in a disadvantage for the defendant."