Procedimiento para la detención de testigos materiales en Nueva Jersey

Explicación Simple

Si alguien sabe algo importante sobre un crimen y no quiere ayudar, la policía puede arrestarlo sin orden. Luego, debe presentarlo ante un juez rápidamente para ver si realmente es un testigo clave.

Es como cuando un maestro necesita que un alumno explique un problema de matemáticas, pero el alumno se niega a hablar. El maestro puede pedir ayuda a la dirección para asegurarse de que el alumno hable antes de que se acabe el tiempo.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que ocurrió un robo en una tienda y un testigo, llamado Juan, vio todo. La policía cree que Juan no quiere hablar, así que lo arresta sin orden y lo lleva ante un juez. El juez decide si Juan tiene información importante sobre el robo y si debe ser obligado a declarar.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

for a crime or the initiation of a criminal investigation before a grand jury, and if the officer has probable cause to believe that: (1) a crime has been committed; (2) the alleged material witness has information material to the prosecution of that crime; (3) the alleged material witness will refuse to cooperate with the officer in the investigation of that crime; and (4) the delay necessary to obtain an arrest warrant or order to appear would result in the unavailability of the alleged material witness. b. Following the warrantless arrest of an alleged material witness, the law enforcement officer shall bring the person immediately before a judge. If court is not in session, the officer shall immediately bring the person before the emergency-duty Superior Court judge. The judge shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that the person is a material witness of a crime and, if an indictment, accusation or complaint for that crime has not issued or if a grand jury has not commenced a criminal investigation of that crime, the judge shall determine whether there is probable cause to believe that, within 48 hours of the arrest, an indictment, accusation or complaint will issue or a grand jury investigation will commence. The judge then shall proceed as if an application for a warrant has been made under N.J.S.2C:104-4. Source: New. L.1994,c.126,s.5. 2C:104-6 Material witness hearing. a. At the material witness hearing, the following rights shall be afforded to