[Question]My husband was arrested on suspicion of inflicting bodily injury. Can I visit him where he is detained? What is the regular criminal procedure that follows after arrest?

[Answer]

If arrested, he may be detained by police for up to 72 hours on suspicion of having committed a crime. Once his detention is approved by a court, prosecutors can detain him for up to 20 days, during which they will decide whether or not to indict him. During his detention, police and prosecutors question him and prepare an investigator’s record of oral statement, which is written in accordance with his testimony during the investigation. He should ask for an interpreter during his questioning and making of a written statement.

Relatively minor offenses can be indicted and tried at the same time at courts of summary jurisdiction, and he will be released. Otherwise, he will be indicted and detained until formal trial begins. Sometimes bail is granted. Unless a detainee is prohibited from communicating with outside contact, visitation is not necessarily restricted to your attorney, but sometimes you are only allowed to do so with the presence of an attendant or during a designated timeframe.

A duty attorney is dispatched to the place where he is detained for free of charge only for the first visit. The attorney will explain the future procedures, his right as a suspect, and make contact with his family. His family and friends can ask for a duty attorney on behalf of the suspect himself. 　To ask for a duty attorney, call 06-6363-0080.

[Question]I bought merchandise on an internet auction site and made the payment. After my repeated requests, however, the good is never delivered and I was told to wait a little longer. I want to report this case to authorities because I suspect a fraud is involved.

[Answer]

If the online auction takes place between two individuals, try to work it out directly with the seller or with the auction web site. Before determining that the case involves fraud, try contacting the seller either by phone, e-mail or letter. If that does not work, send the seller a content certified letter to demand prompt delivery of your order. If it is an obvious case of fraud, file a complaint with police. Bring evidence of transactions, like printouts of communications from the Internet or e-mail application. In case of business-to-person transactions, consult with your local Consumer Center, which can act against the company if it sees a pattern of possible law violations. Some auction hosts set up compensationary program to protect buyers from fraudulent cases.

[Question]As part of immigration procedure to Canada, I need a police clearance certificate for the period of my stay in Japan. Where and how can I get one?

[Answer]

A police clearance certificate, also known as “overseas travel certificate” or “criminal record certificate,”　can be obtained from the Overseas Travel Application Office of Identification Section of Osaka Prefectural Police Headquarters (06-6943-1234 extension 46221/2) The service is free of charge but you need to produce your passport, certificate of registered matter of your Alien Registration Card, documents showing public organizations requesting the certificate. You should call the Headquarters before your visit for more information.