Funciones del presidente del jurado y juramentos de jurados y testigos

Explicación Simple

El presidente del jurado es como el capitán de un equipo que ayuda a tomar decisiones importantes. Todos los miembros del jurado deben prometer que actuarán con justicia y honestidad al evaluar los casos.

Es como cuando un grupo de amigos decide a qué película ir a ver. Uno de ellos se encarga de hacer la lista y asegurarse de que todos estén de acuerdo en elegir la mejor opción sin dejarse influir por sus preferencias personales.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que un grupo de ciudadanos, como Ana, Carlos y Luis, son convocados para ser jurados. Ana es elegida como presidenta y les pregunta a todos si están listos para escuchar el caso. Antes de empezar, todos hacen un juramento para prometer que serán justos en su decisión.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 19.2-197 - Foreman of grand jury; oaths of jurors and witnesses. The court shall select a foreman from among the persons summoned who attend who shall be sworn as follows: "Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will diligently inquire into and carefully consider all such matters that come to your attention concerning this present service, and do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will indict no person through prejudice or ill-will, nor leave any unindicted through fear or favor, but in all your presentments you will present the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, (so help you God)?" The other grand jurors shall afterwards be sworn as follows: "The oath that your foreman has taken on his part, do you and each of you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will observe and keep the same on your part, (so help you God)?" Any witness testifying before the grand jury may be sworn by the foreman. Code 1950, § 19.1-152; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 2024, c. 713 . Va. Code § 19.2-198 - When new foreman or juror may be sworn in. If the foreman or any grand juror, at any time after being sworn, fail or be unable to attend another may be sworn in his stead. Code 1950, § 19.1-153; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495. Va. Code § 19.2-199 - Judge to charge grand jury. The grand jury, after being sworn, shall be charged by the judge of the court and shall then be sent to their room. In the charge given by the court to a regular grand jury, the court shall instruct it to advise the court after their considerations of the bills of indictment whether it desires to be impanelled as a special grand jury to consider any matters provided for in subdivision (2) of § 19.2-191 . Code 1950, § 19.1-154; 1960, cc. 366, 467; 1975, c. 495.