Definiciones sobre víctimas y ofensas criminales en Carolina del Sur

Explicación Simple

Esta ley define quiénes son las víctimas de un crimen y qué se considera un delito. También explica quién puede ayudar en la denuncia y cómo se clasifica una condena.

Es como un equipo de fútbol: el 'victim' es el jugador que fue golpeado, el 'respondent' es el que cometió la falta, y los testigos son los hinchas que vieron lo que sucedió.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Ana fue robada en un parque. Ana es la víctima porque sufrió un daño. Su hermano, Carlos, que la acompañaba y vio todo, puede ser un testigo que ayuda a la policía a resolver el caso. El ladrón, que fue arrestado, es el 'respondent' por el delito que cometió.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

SECTION 16-3-1900. Definitions. For purposes of this article: (1) "Complainant" means a victim of a criminal offense that occurred in this State, a competent adult who resides in this State on behalf of a minor child who is a victim of a criminal offense that occurred in this State, or a witness who assisted the prosecuting entity in the prosecution of a criminal offense that occurred in this State. (2) "Conviction" means a conviction, adjudication of delinquency, guilty plea, nolo contendere plea, or forfeiture of bail. (3) "Criminal offense" means an offense against the person of an individual when physical or psychological harm occurs, including both common law and statutory offenses contained in Sections 16-3-1700, 16-3-1710, 16-3-1720, 16-3-1730, 16-25-20, 16-25-30, 16-25-65 and 23-3-430; criminal sexual conduct offenses pled down to assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; domestic violence offenses pled down to assault and battery or assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature; and the common law offense of attempt, punishable pursuant to Section 16-1-80. (4) "Family" means a spouse, child, parent, sibling, or a person who regularly resides in the same household. (5) "Respondent" means a person who was convicted of a criminal offense for which the victim was the subject of the crime or the witness who assisted the prosecuting entity in prosecuting the criminal offense. (6) "Victim" means: (a) a person who suffers direct or threatened physical, psychological, or financial harm as a result of the commission or attempted commission of a criminal offense; or (b) the spouse, parent, child, or lawful representative of a victim who is deceased, a minor, incompetent, or physically or psychologically incapacitated. "Victim" does not include a person wh