Admisibilidad de declaraciones en casos de violencia doméstica

Explicación Simple

Si alguien habla de un abuso que sufrió, su declaración puede ser usada como prueba en un juicio. Pero hay reglas sobre cuándo y cómo se puede usar esa declaración.

Es como si un amigo te cuenta un secreto justo después de que algo malo le pasó. Si cuenta su historia rápidamente y en el momento adecuado, es más creíble que si lo hace años después.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Laura está en una relación abusiva y un día su pareja la amenaza. Ella llama a la policía y les cuenta lo que pasó. En el juicio posterior, la declaración de Laura puede ser usada como prueba, siempre que se haya hecho poco después de la amenaza y en un ambiente adecuado.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

MCL 768.27c - Statement by declarant; admissibility; circumstances relevant to trustworthiness; disclosure; privilege; definitions; applicability of section Sec. 27c. (1) Evidence of a statement by a declarant is admissible if all of the following apply: (a) The statement purports to narrate, describe, or explain the infliction or threat of physical injury upon the declarant. (b) The action in which the evidence is offered under this section is an offense involving domestic violence. (c) The statement was made at or near the time of the infliction or threat of physical injury. Evidence of a statement made more than 5 years before the filing of the current action or proceeding is inadmissible under this section. (d) The statement was made under circumstances that would indicate the statement's trustworthiness. (e) The statement was made to a law enforcement officer. (2) For the purpose of subsection (1)(d), circumstances relevant to the issue of trustworthiness include, but are not limited to, all of the following: (a) Whether the statement was made in contemplation of pending or anticipated litigation in which the declarant was interested. (b) Whether the declarant has a bias or motive for fabricating the statement, and the extent of any bias or motive. (c) Whether the statement is corroborated by evidence other than statements that are admissible only under this section. (3) If the prosecuting attorney intends to offer evidence under this section, the prosecuting attorney shall disclose the evidence, including the statements of witnesses or a summary of the substance of any testimony that is expected to be offered, to the defendant not less than 15 days before the scheduled date of trial or at a later time as allowed by the court for good cause shown. (4) Nothing in t