Responsabilidad del testigo acusador ante un gran jurado

Explicación Simple

Si alguien dice que le hicieron daño y va a un gran jurado, tiene que testificar. Si no lo hace y la persona acusada es inocente, puede tener que pagar los gastos del juicio.

Es como si alguien te dijera que un amigo rompió su juguete, pero luego no se presenta a la reunión para contar lo que pasó. Si el amigo no es culpable, el que se quejó podría tener que cubrir los costos de la reunión.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Laura denuncia a su vecino, Juan, porque dice que él rompió su cerca. El gran jurado acepta la queja, pero cuando llega el juicio, Laura no se presenta a testificar. Si Juan es declarado inocente, Laura podría tener que pagar los gastos legales que se generaron por la denuncia.

Penalidades

Si no te presentas a testificar y el acusado es inocente, podrías tener que pagar los costos del caso.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

C.R.S. 16-18-104 – Prosecuting witness before grand jury liable If any person complains to any grand jury of injury done to his person, or to any person of his household, or to his property, and after indictment found does not appear in the court in which the indictment is pending to give evidence in that behalf against the party charged in the indictment, and the party charged is acquitted, or if proceedings under said indictment are discontinued for want of testimony, the court in which the indictment is pending shall give judgment against the person who preferred the complaint for the costs arising in that case. Upon the trial of the party charged in any such indictment, if he is acquitted and the jury finds that the proceeding was maliciously commenced, the court shall give judgment against the prosecuting witness for the costs arising in the case. Whenever any person complains, the grand jury shall cause the name of the person so complaining to be endorsed upon the indictment, with the words "prosecuting witness" added, and this shall be evidence that the complaint was made by the person whose name is thus endorsed. Source: Section 16-18-104 — Prosecuting witness before grand jury liable - when , https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-16.­pdf (accessed May 26, 2025).