Celebrity Arrests and Their Background
Recently, during a break from work at a judicial scrivener’s office, I had a conversation with a friend while watching the news about why Shinji Saito was sent for prosecution while Hirofumi Arai and Yuta Takahata were arrested. My friend said, “The idea that celebrities don’t get arrested is just an urban legend.” Indeed, whether
or not someone gets arrested does not depend on whether they are a celebrity or an ordinary person; the main criteria are “risk of fleeing” and “possibility of evidence tampering.” The decision to arrest is at the discretion of the police, but if they determine that the evidence is solid and the risk of fleeing is low, it often results in a referral for prosecution. In Saito’s case, such a judgment may have been made. In fact, I had previously debated a similar topic with friends while studying for the bar exam. In the legal world, particularly for celebrities, there tends to be more consideration for privacy compared to ordinary individuals. When someone is arrested, that information spreads quickly, increasing the risk of infringing on the victim’s rights. This applies not only to celebrities but also to ordinary individuals, although the impact is particularly significant for celebrities.
From the Perspective of Victim Protection
During my conversation with my friend, I felt that considerations to protect victims are crucial. For example, in the case of ordinary individuals, news of an incident can easily become known to neighbors, making it simpler to identify the victim. This is likely why decisions regarding arrests take into account the circumstances of the incident and victim protection. In reality, what we see in the news often reflects the respect for the victim’s rights. Additionally, as my friend pointed out, drug-related incidents typically have a high possibility of evidence tampering, which often leads to early arrests. This is another criterion used by the police. The decision to arrest is not uniform; it often varies on a case-by-case basis.
Conclusion
The decision to arrest involves various factors. It is indeed not the case that celebrities receive special treatment; rather, there may be considerations made to protect victims. Thinking in this way seems to deepen our understanding of the legal and social systems. What do you think? When you see news about arrests or referrals for prosecution, what emotions arise? I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments. I look forward to hearing your opinions!
