Attorney Kyohei Ono and Attorney Kengo Okayama of VBEST Law Firm Secure Acquittal in Lay Judge Trial

VBEST Law Firm (Head Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo; Representatives: Attorney Masaru Sakai, Attorney Kenta Akino, Attorney Tatsuya Hagihara; Website: https://www.vbest.jp/) announced that Attorney Kyohei Ono (lead counsel) and Attorney Kengo Okayama have secured an acquittal in a lay judge trial concerning a charge of non-consensual indecent assault resulting in injury. The verdict has become final, as no appeal was filed by the prosecution.

【Case Background】

The case involved allegations that the defendant committed an indecent act against a female employee at a dining establishment, causing bodily injury during the incident, and was subsequently charged with non-consensual indecent assault resulting in injury.

The defense team fully denied the allegations. During the trial, the key points of contention were the existence of indecent conduct and whether there was a causal relationship between the alleged act and the resulting injury.

The defense conducted various experiments, including recreating the alleged offense at the scene, measuring the defendant’s arm length during detention, and testing the performance of surveillance cameras. They also analyzed surveillance footage, examined the content and evolution of the female employee’s statements, and considered the circumstances at the time and the nature of the injury. Based on this comprehensive analysis, the defense constructed a coherent case theory and presented detailed, concrete arguments and evidence demonstrating reasonable doubt regarding the prosecution’s claims.

Nagano District Court, in assessing whether the alleged facts could be established, found that the female employee’s testimony contained unnatural and unreasonable elements, as well as unexplained inconsistencies, and therefore could not be deemed entirely credible. The court also found that the defendant’s explanations could not be dismissed outright. On June 17, Reiwa 8, the court delivered an acquittal verdict for the defendant.

This was a case subject to lay judge trial, with the prosecution seeking a four-year prison sentence. In this serious case involving a sexual offense with physical injury, the defense’s meticulous and thorough analysis of the credibility and plausibility of testimonies, along with consistency with objective evidence, and their active presentation of reasonable doubt, ultimately led to the acquittal.

Regarding the verdict, lead counsel Attorney Ono stated, "I am relieved that a proper judgment in line with the fundamental principles of criminal trials has been rendered. I will continue to dedicate myself as a defense attorney to achieving fair criminal justice."

【Attorneys in Charge】

Lead Counsel: Attorney Kyohei Ono

Affiliation: VBEST Law Firm, Nagano Office

URL: https://www.vbest.jp/member/detail/711/

Attorney Kengo Okayama

Affiliation: VBEST Law Firm, Tokyo Office

URL: https://www.vbest.jp/member/detail/298/

About VBEST Law Firm

VBEST Law Firm is a comprehensive law firm with 76 offices nationwide (as of June 2026). For individuals, it provides a wide range of legal services related to daily life, including divorce, labor issues, traffic accidents, criminal cases, inheritance, and school-related matters. For corporations, it offers legal support in areas such as advisory services, dispute resolution, labor management, M&A, and international legal affairs.

"We want to be our clients’ best partner."

Under this philosophy, all staff members sincerely engage in problem-solving.

Official Website: https://www.vbest.jp/

Criminal Law Website: https://keiji.vbest.jp/

VBEST Attorneys at Law (Member: Tokyo Bar Association)