Reglas sobre la prueba de conducta sexual previa en casos de agresión sexual

Explicación Simple

Esta ley dice que, en un juicio por agresión sexual, el historial sexual de la víctima no siempre se puede usar como prueba. Si alguien quiere usar esa información, el juez debe decidir si es relevante y no hiriente.

Es como si estuvieras haciendo una ensalada y alguien quiere añadir un ingrediente que ya ha estado en el refrigerador y podría estar malo. El chef (juez) debe decidir si ese ingrediente es seguro y útil para la ensalada.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es acusado de agredir sexualmente a María. Durante el juicio, Juan quiere presentar información sobre las relaciones pasadas de María. El juez debe primero decidir si esa información es relevante y no perjudicial para María antes de permitir que Juan la use en su defensa.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

(c) At the conclusion of the hearing, if the court finds that the evidence proposed to be offered by the accused regarding the previous sexual conduct of the victim is admissible under subdivision 3 and that its probative value is not substantially outweighed by its inflammatory or prejudicial nature, the court shall make an order stating the extent to which evidence is admissible. The accused may then offer evidence pursuant to the order of the court; (d) If new information is discovered after the date of the hearing or during the course of trial, which may make evidence described in subdivision 3 admissible, the accused may make an offer of proof pursuant to clause (a) and the court shall order an in camera hearing to determine whether the proposed evidence is admissible by the standards herein. In a prosecution under sections609.342to609.3451;609.3453;609.3458; or Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 609.109, the court shall not instruct the jury to the effect that: (a) it may be inferred that a victim who has previously consented to sexual intercourse with persons other than the accused would be therefore more likely to consent to sexual intercourse again; or (b) the victim's previous or subsequent sexual conduct in and of itself may be considered in determining the credibility of the victim; or (c) criminal sexual conduct is a crime easily charged by a victim but very difficult to disprove by an accused because of the heinous nature of the crime; or