The government is planning to allow crime suspects to have state-appointed lawyers from the moment they are taken into custody, if their financial resources are limited, government officials said Wednesday.
Currently, government-appointed lawyers can only defend suspects after indictment.
The plan forms part of a judicial reform drive aimed at speeding up the sluggish pace of the judicial system and protecting suspects from making confessions under duress.
The government is planning to implement the measure in April 2006, after submitting a bill to the Diet during the regular session that convenes in January.
According to a draft released by the Office for Promotion of Justice System Reform, lawyers will be appointed for people suspected of involvement in cases where at least one lawyer is needed to hold a public trial.
Appointed lawyers will be in charge of working on behalf of suspects both when they are taken into custody and when they stand trial.