Declaraciones no juradas y soborno a testigos en Washington

Explicación Simple

En Washington, si necesitas probar algo en un juicio, puedes hacerlo con una declaración que no esté jurada, siempre que digas que es verdad. Además, ofrecer dinero a un testigo para que mienta es un delito grave.

Es como cuando en un partido de fútbol, alguien intenta convencer a un árbitro para que cambie su decisión a cambio de un regalo. Eso no está bien y tiene consecuencias.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan está en un juicio y necesita que su amigo Carlos testifique a su favor. Juan le dice a Carlos que si miente a favor de él, le dará dinero. Esto es soborno y puede llevar a Juan a enfrentar serias consecuencias legales.

Penalidades

Sobornar a un testigo se considera un delito grave (felony de clase B).

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 9A.72.085 - Unsworn statements, certification Whenever, under any law of this state or under any rule, order, or requirement made under the law of this state, any matter in an official proceeding is required or permitted to be supported, evidenced, established, or proved by a person's sworn written statement, declaration, verification, certificate, oath, or affidavit, the matter may with like force and effect be supported, evidenced, established, or proved in the official proceeding by an unsworn written statement, declaration, verification, or certificate, which:(1) Recites that it is certified or declared by the person to be true under penalty of perjury;(2) Is subscribed by the person;(3) States the date and place of its execution; and(4) States that it is so certified or declared under the laws of the state of Washington.The certification or declaration may be in substantially the following form: RCW 9A.72.090 - Bribing a witness (1) A person is guilty of bribing a witness if he or she offers, confers, or agrees to confer any benefit upon a witness or a person he or she has reason to believe is about to be called as a witness in any official proceeding or upon a person whom he or she has reason to believe may have information relevant to a criminal investigation or the abuse or neglect of a minor child, with intent to:(a) Influence the testimony of that person; or(b) Induce that person to avoid legal process summoning him or her to testify; or(c) Induce that person to absent himself or herself from an official proceeding to which he or she has been legally summoned; or(d) Induce that person to refrain from reporting information relevant to a criminal investigation or the abuse or neglect of a minor child.(2) Bribing a witness is a class B felony.