2013/06/07

Lay judge from various perspevtives----- anti-lay judge group member's point of view


I’m a member of a group which demands the abolishment of the lay judge system and do activity to submit petition against that.

There are no helpful supports for lay judges even though some diagnosed as PTSD after the trial because of the serious crime such as murder or traffic accident. Supreme court provide telephone consultation for them, but it is non-fulfilling support.
Moreover, if you reject being lay judge without clear reason, you may have to pay money as non-penal fine. This is not ‘participation’ or ‘duty’. It’s almost like ‘military draft’.
Lay judge system started in 2009, but 84% of people answered they don’t want to be lay judges in 2011’s questionnaire. No matter how many times surveys would be conducted, most people would answer ‘No’ if they asked they want to take part in trial. It is obvious that this system doesn’t do good to raise awareness of people toward judiciary.
 
Can you really agree this unwanted system? Don't you think that this is nuisance? I firmly oppose lay judge system.