Lay judge system gaining acceptance

People are more willing to take part in criminal trials as lay judges after receiving a detailed explanation of the new system, according to a survey conducted by the Supreme Court.

About 47 percent of respondents said they would be willing to serve as a lay judge, while 48 percent expressed reluctance, the survey showed. Results of a Cabinet Office survey released in February showed 78 percent were unwilling to take part.

The Supreme Court provided specific information on the lay judge system, to be introduced in 2009, in its survey conducted between October and February through the Internet, to which 5,664 adults responded.

About 46 percent of the respondents said they have no objections to serving as lay judges, while 33 percent cited work as an obstacle and 14 percent listed social events such as weddings and funerals.