A lay judge system in which ordinary citizens participate in criminal trials as lay judges.
From this year, young people aged 18 and 19 may also be selected as lay judges.
More than 3,700 people have already become candidates nationwide, and high school students are also eligible.
On the other hand, the percentage of people who declined to be selected as candidates continues to be higher than when the system started.
Efforts to dispel the anxiety of high school students and create an environment where it is easy to participate have begun.
The challenge is how to encourage participation
Until now, the age at which jurors can be selected was 20 years old, but it was lowered to 18 years old due to revisions to the Civil Code and the Juvenile Law, which lowered the age of adulthood.
From this year, people aged 18 and over, including high school students, may be selected as lay judges, and according to the Supreme Court, among the approximately 210,000 candidates for this year, the newly targeted 18 and 19 There are over 3,700 people nationwide.
Under these circumstances, the issue is how to encourage participation.
The percentage of people who declined to be selected as candidates = the decline rate was 66.9% two years ago, which is still higher than the 53.1% in 2009 when the system began.
According to an internet survey conducted by The Nippon Foundation in January of last year, 1,000 people between the ages of 17 and 19
answered that they "did not want to participate" and "relatively did not want to participate" (total of 48.1). %)
exceeded ▽“I want to participate” ▽“I would rather participate” (total 28.1%) by 20 points.
As for what they feel uneasy about,
▽ ``Making wrong decisions'' (31.2%)
▽ ``Responsibility for handing down heavy punishment'' (27%)
``Young age and lack of sufficient life experience'' ( 20.8%)
.
(Multiple answers)
It has been 14 years since the system started, and the lay judge system has reached a new milestone.
While the door to a system that reflects the sensibilities of citizens in the judiciary has been opened to young people, the question is how to deepen their understanding of the system and create an environment that facilitates participation.
Courts Nationwide Focus on Eliminating Anxiety
Against this backdrop, courts across the country are beginning to put effort into getting rid of even a little anxiety about participating in trials and leading to the participation of young people.
In December last year, the Tokyo District Court invited high school students from Tokyo to the court to hear from experienced judges.
At an opinion exchange meeting held in an actual courtroom, a high school student asked, "Did you feel any change in your feelings before and after serving as a lay judge?" said, ``I wasn't interested in the trial, but after going through it, I started watching the news more, and my view of the world changed.''
Also, to the question, "Is it okay if I don't know the law?", a woman in her 20s answered, "I didn't have any knowledge of the law at all, but I was able to come to a conclusion while exchanging opinions with those around me, so my anxiety disappeared along the way. I went to work,” he said.
A female student in her second year of high school who participated said, "I was worried about becoming a lay judge because I'm not the type to express my opinions clearly, but my worries were dispelled when I realized that my opinions also lead to conclusions. I was talking.
Classes to pass on the experience of lay judges
Some high schools even held classes to learn about the lay judge system.
Last month, at Keio High School in Yokohama, a class was held for third-year students by an experienced lay judge and a lawyer. told the experience of
The man said, "I had to consider not only the position of the victim but also the perpetrator, and it was sometimes difficult mentally. Since the life of another person will be decided, when the 'verdict' that decides the judgment is given, it is up to me." I wondered if I had the right to judge someone, and what the defendants and victims would think when they heard the verdict, and my hands trembled under the pressure. was talking
After that, he called out, "I will be talking to people of various ages, but I would like you to discuss without fear of conflicting opinions."
A male student who took the class said, "I have little social experience and am worried about whether I can speak with confidence, but I would like to take on the challenge because I can participate regardless of my position or occupation."
Another student said, "While participating in the trial, I think that I will not be able to attend classes and my studies will be delayed, so I think it will be easier for me to participate if there are allowances for that and care for the psychological burden." was
Expert: “Try to support and create an atmosphere that makes it easy to participate”
Kei Shinomiya, a professor at Kokugakuin University who was involved in the design of the lay judge system, said, ``It is important to hear the opinions of as many people as possible in deciding how the country should be, and the opinions of young people should be reflected in the judiciary. I think that the participation of 18- and 19-year-olds with a fresh sense in the trial will give them a lot of realizations that will surprise legal experts, and it will shed light on the case from a variety of perspectives, making it even more interesting. I think we can come up with a good solution," he said.
Regarding the concerns of the younger generation about participating, he said, "Unlike school tests, there is no right answer in lay judge work. I want to reflect the opinions of 18- and 19-year-olds on themes that have no right answer. Instead of thinking, 'What should I do if I make a mistake?
He added, "The experience of being a lay judge is an important thing that allows you to feel that you are one of the sovereigns who have taken on social responsibility, and your school or workplace should give sufficient support when you are absent from classes. , I want you to create an atmosphere and system that makes it easy to participate."