Testigos obligados a declarar sin excusas por auto-incriminación

Explicación Simple

Si alguien es llamado a testificar sobre un crimen, no puede negarse solo porque su testimonio lo podría perjudicar. Además, lo que diga no puede usarse en su contra, así que puede hablar sin miedo a ser castigado por eso.

Es como si en un juego de fútbol, un jugador no pudiera evitar pasar la pelota porque teme que lo puedan culpar por un error. Aunque pase la pelota, no se le penaliza por los errores de los demás.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan ve a su amigo Pedro robando en una tienda. Si Juan es llamado a declarar, no puede negarse a hablar solo porque teme que su testimonio lo involucre. Si Juan testifica, lo que diga no puede ser usado para acusarlo a él.

Penalidades

Negarse a testificar puede resultar en un cargo de delito menor.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 18.2-262 - Witnesses not excused from testifying or producing evidence because of self-incrimination. No person shall be excused from testifying or from producing books, papers, correspondence, memoranda or other records for the Commonwealth as to any offense alleged to have been committed by another under this article or under the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.) by reason of his testimony or other evidence tending to incriminate himself, but the testimony given and evidence so produced by such person on behalf of the Commonwealth when called for by the trial judge or court trying the case, or by the attorney for the Commonwealth, or when summoned by the Commonwealth and sworn as a witness by the court or the clerk and sent before the grand jury, shall be in no case used against him nor shall he be prosecuted as to the offense as to which he testifies. Any person who refuses to testify or produce books, papers, correspondence, memoranda or other records, shall be guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. Code 1950, § 54-524.107:1; 1971, Ex. Sess., c. 170; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 1984, c. 667. Va. Code § 18.2-263 - Unnecessary to negative exception, etc.; burden of proof of exception, etc. In any complaint, information, or indictment, and in any action or proceeding brought for the enforcement of any provision of this article or of the Drug Control Act (§ 54.1-3400 et seq.), it shall not be necessary to negative any exception, excuse, proviso, or exemption contained in this article or in the Drug Control Act, and the burden of proof of any such exception, excuse, proviso, or exemption shall be upon the defendant. Code 1950, § 54-524.108; 1970, c. 650; 1975, cc. 14, 15.