In Japan lay judges (citizens) were re-introduced into trials in order to offer defendants a possibly more sympathetic audience.  
In Japan, due to quite a few idiosyncrasies[1], prosecutors achieve upwards of 95% conviction rates.<p>An imperfect jury system is likely better, in criminal cases, than having cozy professionals decide cases.<p>[1] often no attorneys during interrogation, forced confessions, detentions without charges, taking up only choice cases, declaring &quot;accidents&quot; rather than pursuing murder, etc...