Legal Question in Criminal Law in Japan

Re: DUI Penalty- Japan

I lived in Japan for a couple of years nnd have some familiarity with the Japanese criminal justice system as a casual observer. However, I don't have a clue as to what their sentencing guidelines would be in a homocide.

With that said I'd check with several Japanese business men who are here working for Japanese companes. I'd also check with their Los Angeles Consulate. You could also check with the American Embassy in Tokyo. And you might get some information from some of the base staff at the various American Military establishments in Japan.

I'd also try surfing the Web for information.

I don't believe that the Japanese have the death penalty. And it seemed to me that their system is rather slow when I was there. That they had nmerous court appearances.

With the number of years that there has been a large American presence in Japan there are some Japanese attorneys that speak English. And you eventually might get some information on their names and telephone numbers to call them.

Also try the staff of a large news reporting agency, and see what you can find out from them.

Check with some exchange student programs and see if there is an American Student over there that might have the time to make a few inquiries. A friend of mine's daughter was there several years ago as an exchange student (she's now an Attorney in St. Louis), and I've taken in Japanese exchange students. Either way might help, American to Japan or Japanese to America. So they are around.