Descargo de acusados y quejas frívolas

Explicación Simple

Si alguien es acusado de un delito y no hay pruebas, puede ser liberado. Si la queja fue hecha sin razón, la persona que la hizo puede tener que pagar los costos.

Es como cuando un maestro llama a un estudiante al pizarrón y, al no saber la respuesta, lo deja ir porque no hay razón para castigarlo. Si el maestro piensa que el estudiante fue llamado sin motivo, puede pedirle al que lo llamó que se haga responsable.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es acusado de robar en una tienda, pero después de investigar, el juez no encuentra pruebas. Entonces, Juan es liberado. Además, si se descubre que la persona que lo acusó lo hizo por venganza, esa persona podría tener que pagar los gastos del caso.

Penalidades

Si la queja es considerada maliciosa, el acusador puede tener que pagar los costos del proceso.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 10.16.080 - Discharge of defendant -- Frivolous complaints If it should appear upon the whole examination that no offense has been committed, or that there is not probable cause for charging the defendant with an offense, he shall be discharged, and if in the opinion of the magistrate, the complaint was malicious, or without probable cause, and there was no reasonable ground therefor, the costs shall be taxed against the party making the complaint. [Code 1881 § 1925; 1873 p 395 § 223; 1854 p 107 § 31; RRS § 1954.] RCW 10.16.100 - Abstract of costs forwarded with transcript In all cases where any magistrate shall order a defendant to recognize for his or her appearance before a district or superior court, the magistrate shall forward with the papers in the case, an abstract of the costs that have accrued in the case, and such costs shall be subject to the final determination of the case. RCW 10.16.110 - Statement of prosecuting attorney if no information filed -- Court action It shall be the duty of the prosecuting attorney of the proper county to inquire into and make full examination of all the facts and circumstances connected with any case of preliminary examination, as provided by law, touching the commission of any offense wherein the offender shall be committed to jail, or become recognized or held to bail; and if the prosecuting attorney shall determine in any such case that an information ought not to be filed, he shall make, subscribe and file with the clerk of the court a statement in writing containing his reasons, in fact and in law, for not filing an information in such case, and such statement shall be filed at and during the session of court at which the offender shall be held for his appearance: PROVIDED, That in such case such court may ex