Derechos de Testimonio entre Cónyuges en Procedimientos Criminales

Explicación Simple

En algunos juicios criminales, los esposos pueden no tener que testificar en contra del otro. Sin embargo, hay situaciones donde sí pueden, como si hubo violencia entre ellos.

Es como cuando en un juego de equipo, los jugadores deciden no hablar de sus estrategias, pero si uno hace trampa, el otro puede contar lo que pasó.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan y María están casados. Si Juan es acusado de agredir a María, ella puede testificar en su contra. Pero si solo están en un desacuerdo y no hay violencia, no tiene que declarar contra él.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

42 Pa.C.S. 1989 - Amendment § 5913. Spouses as witnesses against each other. Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, in a criminal proceeding a person shall have the privilege, which he or she may waive, not to testify against his or her then lawful spouse except that there shall be no such privilege: (1) in proceedings for desertion and maintenance; (2) in any criminal proceeding against either for bodily injury or violence attempted, done or threatened upon the other, or upon the minor children of said husband and wife, or the minor children of either of them, or any minor child in their care or custody, or in the care or custody of either of them; (3) applicable to proof of the fact of marriage, in support of a criminal charge of bigamy alleged to have been committed by or with the other; or (4) in any criminal proceeding in which one of the charges pending against the defendant includes murder, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse or rape. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days; June 29, 1989, P.L.69, No.16, eff. imd.) 1989 Amendment. Section 2 of Act 16 provided that Act 16 shall apply to all criminal cases pending on the effective date of Act 16. 42 Pa.C.S. 5914 - Confidential Communications Between Spouses Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, in a criminal proceeding neither husband nor wife shall be competent or permitted to testify to confidential communications made by one to the other, unless this privilege is waived upon the trial. (Apr. 28, 1978, P.L.202, No.53, eff. 60 days) 42 Pa.C.S. 5915 - Testimony By Spouse In Rebuttal In any criminal proceeding brought against the husband or wife, if the defendant makes defense at the trial upon any ground which attacks the character or conduct of his or her spouse, the spouse attack