Instrucciones para el jurado sobre la discusión del veredicto

Explicación Simple

Cuando un jurado decide sobre un caso muy serio, como una pena de muerte, se le dice que no tiene que hablar sobre su decisión si no quiere. También se le explica que puede terminar cualquier conversación sobre el veredicto cuando lo desee.

Es como cuando terminas de jugar un partido y no quieres hablar de cómo te fue; tienes todo el derecho a no comentar si no te sientes cómodo.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que en un juicio, Ana es jurado y el caso es sobre un crimen grave. Después de deliberar, decide que no quiere hablar con nadie sobre su decisión. La jueza le explica que está en su derecho de no comentar y que puede reportar a quien insista en preguntar.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

SECTION 16-3-21. Jury instruction as to discussion of verdict. (A) In all cases in which an individual is sentenced to death, the trial judge shall, before the dismissal of the jury, verbally instruct the jury concerning the discussion of its verdict. A standard written instruction shall be promulgated by the Supreme Court for use in all capital cases. (B) The verbal instruction shall include: (1) the right of the juror to refuse to discuss the verdict; (2) the right of the juror to discuss the verdict to the extent that the juror so chooses; (3) the right of the juror to terminate any discussion pertaining to the verdict at any time the juror so chooses; (4) the right of the juror to report any person who continues to pursue a discussion of the verdict or who continues to harass the juror after the juror has refused to discuss the verdict or communicated a desire to terminate discussion of the verdict; and (5) the name, address, and phone number of the person or persons to whom the juror should report any harassment concerning the refusal to discuss the verdict or the juror's decision to terminate discussion of the verdict. (C) In addition to the verbal instruction of the trial judge, each juror, upon dismissal from jury service, shall receive a copy of the written jury instruction set forth in subsection (A). HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 448, SECTION 2. Editor's Note 1996 Act No. 448, SECTION 1, eff June 18, 1996, provides as follows: "SECTION 1. This act [consisting of SECTIONS 16-3-21, 17-25-380, 17-27-130, 17-27-150, and 17-27-160] is known and may be cited as the 'South Carolina Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996'."