Cómo se inicia un proceso penal en Colorado

Explicación Simple

En Colorado, hay varias formas de comenzar un caso penal. Puede ser a través de un jurado, o presentando una queja en la corte. Todo depende del tipo de delito que se esté tratando.

Es como cuando decides llevar a alguien a la escuela porque hizo algo malo; primero, hablas con un adulto (jurado) o le cuentas a la maestra (corte) lo que pasó.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es acusado de robar en una tienda. La policía puede arrestarlo y luego presentar una queja en la corte del condado. Después, la corte decidirá si hay suficientes pruebas para continuar con el caso.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

C.R.S. 16-5-101 – Commencement of prosecution (1) Unless otherwise provided by law, a criminal action for violation of any statute may be commenced in one of the following ways: (a) By the return of an indictment by a grand jury; (b) By the filing of an information in the district court; (c) By the filing of a felony complaint in the county court; (d) Prosecution of a misdemeanor, petty offense, or civil infraction may be commenced in the county court by: (I) The issuance of a summons and complaint; (II) The issuance of a summons following the filing of a complaint; (III) The filing of a complaint following an arrest; or (IV) The filing of a summons and complaint following arrest, or, in the event that the offense is a civil infraction, by the issuance of a notice of penalty assessment pursuant to section 16-2-201 . (2) The procedures governing felony complaints filed in the county court and warrants or summonses issued in connection therewith shall be in accordance with and as required by the applicable provisions of the rules of criminal procedure promulgated by the supreme court of Colorado. (3) Where the offense charged is a misdemeanor or petty offense, the action may be commenced in the county court as provided in subsection (1)(d) of this section, and the issues shall then be tried in the county court.