Derechos y obligaciones de testigos en casos criminales en Virginia

Explicación Simple

Si alguien ve un crimen, la policía puede pedirle que hable en el juicio. Si no va, puede meterse en problemas con el juez.

Es como cuando tu profesor te pide que des un testimonio sobre un proyecto grupal. Si no vas a contar lo que sabes, podrías tener problemas en clase.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan ve a su vecino, Carlos, robando una bicicleta. La policía puede darle a Juan una citación para que hable en el juicio de Carlos. Si Juan no asiste después de haber sido notificado, podría enfrentar consecuencias legales.

Penalidades

Si no te presentas tras recibir la citación, podrías enfrentar un cargo de desacato al tribunal.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 19.2-267.1 - Authority of law-enforcement officer to issue summons to witness; failure to appear. A summons may be issued by a law-enforcement officer during the course of his immediate investigation of an alleged misdemeanor for which an arrest warrant is not required pursuant to § 19.2-81 to any person he reasonably believes was a witness to the offense. The summons shall command the person to appear and testify at the trial of any criminal charge brought against any person as the result of the offense. A summons issued pursuant to this section shall have the same force as if issued by the court. The failure of any person so summoned to appear after receiving written notice of the date, time and place of the trial at least five days prior to the trial shall be punishable as contempt of the court in accordance with § 18.2-456 (5). 1983, c. 224. Va. Code § 19.2-267.2 - Response to subpoena for information stored in electronic format. When a subpoena has been served pursuant to Rule 3A:12 of the Rules of the Supreme Court on a person who is not a party to the action requiring the production of information that is stored in an electronic format, the person shall produce a tangible copy of the information. If a tangible copy cannot be produced, the person shall permit the parties to review the information on a computer or by electronic means during normal business hours, provided that the information can be accessed and isolated. If a tangible copy cannot reasonably be produced and the information is commingled with information other than that requested in the subpoena and cannot reasonably be isolated, the person may file a motion for a protective order or motion to quash. 2002, c. 764 . Va. Code § 19.2-268 - Right of accused to testify. In any case of fel