Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 1 of 1
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
The People Decide: The Effect Of The Introduction Of The Quasi-Jury System (Saiban-In Seido) On The Death Penalty In Japan, Leah Ambler
Northwestern Journal of Human Rights
The Japanese people will soon decide the fate of criminal defendants for the first time in over 50 years. Under the Lay Assessor Act beginning in May, 2009, randomly selected members of the Japanese public will preside over criminal trials alongside professional judges and be responsible for determining both verdicts and sentences. 's retention of the death penalty means that members of the public will ultimately have to decide whether a person lives or dies.
This article examines the potential impact of the new lay assessor system, or saiban-in seido, on capital punishment in , and considers whether it may …