Criminal Defense Archives - English Lawyers Japan

Criminal Defense

What to do if you are arrested in Japan

If you are arrested in Japan, you will either be arrested on the spot in which case no warrant will be shown but the police must provide you an explanation...

Criminal Defense

What can my embassy do if I am arrested in Japan?

If you are arrested in Japan for a criminal offence, you should be aware of the options you have available to you. One resource you will have is your embassy, which can provide limited support to you. Read below to learn more about the steps you should take when arrested in Japan, and what kind […]...

Criminal Defense

How to contact a lawyer after being arrested in Japan

After being detained in Japan, the next step you’ll want to take is securing a criminal defense lawyer. You may be wondering what kinds of resources you’ll have for contacting a lawyer while you are in jail. It might not be as easy as you are expecting to find and contact a lawyer while detained, […]...

Criminal Defense

Visas and deportation after arrest and conviction in Japan

A common worry following arrest for a criminal offence is what will happen to your visa status in Japan, and if you will be deported. If you have found yourself in this situation, then it’s important to understand the various scenarios you may find yourself in concerning your stay in Japan. In some cases, you […]...

Criminal Defense

What is life like in Japanese prison?

Japanese prisons If you are going to prison in Japan, it means that you have committed a crime and are now being sentenced to imprisonment. As of March 2018, there are 62 jails, 6 juvenile jails, and 8 branch jails in Japan, and some jails hold specific types of inmates. Fuchu Prison in Tokyo prefecture […]...

Criminal Defense

What does a criminal trial look like in Japan?

Criminal trials in Japan For a very basic summary, criminal trials in Japan are conducted in the following sequence: opening procedures, examination of evidence, and judgment. If the accused party is not satisfied with the judgment of the district court the first time, they can appeal to the high court. Opening procedures Opening procedures are […]...

Criminal Defense

How will I get punished for committing a crime in Japan?

Types of punishments for committing a crime in Japan The different kinds of punishment for committing a crime in Japan are shown above, from the lightest punishment to the heaviest. These punishments are petty fines, detention, fines, confinement, imprisonment, and the death penalty. In practice, detention is rarely actually given as a punishment. Depending on […]...

Criminal Defense

What is life like in Japanese detention centers?

First of all, what is detention vs imprisonment? Both detention centers and prison are similar in that they imprison people. However, detention facilities and prisons have different jurisdictions, which can result in operational differences. Detention centers are under the jurisdiction of the police. Detention centers are located at each police station, as controlled by the […]...