Procedimientos para la defensa en caso de pena de muerte en Carolina del Sur

Explicación Simple

Si alguien es acusado de asesinato y se busca la pena de muerte, el abogado del acusado debe ser avisado con tiempo. Además, si la persona no puede pagar un abogado, el tribunal le asigna uno que tiene experiencia.

Es como si en un partido de fútbol, un jugador que no tiene un buen equipo necesita que el entrenador le asigne un compañero experimentado para que le ayude a jugar mejor.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es acusado de un crimen muy grave y el fiscal quiere que le den la pena de muerte. Como Juan no tiene dinero para contratar un buen abogado, el juez le asigna a dos abogados con experiencia para que lo defiendan en juicio.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

SECTION 16-3-26. Punishment for murder; notice to defense attorney of solicitor's intention to seek death penalty; appointment of attorneys for indigent; investigative, expert or other services. (A) Whenever the solicitor seeks the death penalty he shall notify the defense attorney of his intention to seek such penalty at least thirty days prior to the trial of the case. At the request of the defense attorney, the defense attorney shall be excused from all other trial duties ten days prior to the term of court in which the trial is to be held. (B)(1) Whenever any person is charged with murder and the death penalty is sought, the court, upon determining that such person is unable financially to retain adequate legal counsel, shall appoint two attorneys to defend such person in the trial of the action. One of the attorneys so appointed shall have at least five years' experience as a licensed attorney and at least three years' experience in the actual trial of felony cases, and only one of the attorneys so appointed shall be the Public Defender or a member of his staff. In all cases where no conflict exists, the public defender or member of his staff shall be appointed if qualified. If a conflict exists, the court shall then turn first to the contract public defender attorneys, if qualified, before turning to the Office of Indigent Defense. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall order payment of all fees and costs from funds available to the Office of Indigent Defense for the defense of indigent. Any attorney appointed shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed fifty dollars per hour for time expended out of court and seventy-five dollars per hour for time expended in court. Compensation shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars and shall be