Testigos ante un gran jurado en Colorado

Explicación Simple

Si un testigo en un juicio no quiere hablar cuando se le pide, puede ser encerrado hasta que hable. Esto es para asegurarse de que la verdad salga a la luz.

Es como cuando un niño no quiere compartir su juguete y, como consecuencia, lo envían a su habitación hasta que decida hacerlo.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es citado a declarar ante un gran jurado sobre un robo. Si Juan se niega a hablar sin una buena razón, el juez puede mandarlo a la cárcel hasta que decida colaborar. Si después de un tiempo no cambia de opinión, podrá salir solo si el juez cree que ya no es necesario mantenerlo allí.

Penalidades

El testigo puede ser encarcelado hasta que decida declarar, pero no más de seis meses.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

tness’s written approval, shall be entitled, prior to testifying, to examine and copy at the witness’s expense any statement in the possession of the prosecuting attorney or the grand jury which such witness has made to any law enforcement or prosecution official or under an oath required by law that relates to the subject matter under inquiry by the grand jury. If a witness is proceeding in forma pauperis, he shall be furnished, upon request, a copy of such transcript and shall not pay a fee. (i) No person subpoenaed to testify or to produce books, papers, documents, or other objects in any proceeding before any grand jury shall be required to testify or to produce such objects, or be confined as provided in this section, for his failure to so testify or produce such objects if, upon filing a motion and upon an evidentiary hearing before the court which issued such subpoena or a court having jurisdiction under this section, the court finds that: (I) A primary purpose or effect of requiring such person to so testify or to produce such objects before the grand jury is or will be to secure testimony for trial for which the defendant has already been charged by information, indictment, or criminal complaint; (II) Compliance with a subpoena would be unreasonable or oppressive; (III) A primary purpose of the issuance of the subpoena is to harass the witness; (IV) The witness has already been confined, imprisoned, or fined under this section for his refusal to testify before any gr