Funciones y responsabilidades del jurado de gran jurado en Washington

Explicación Simple

Cuando un gran jurado se reúne, sus miembros deben jurar que investigarán la verdad sobre lo que les digan. No pueden dejar a nadie sin acusar por miedo o favoritismo. Además, deben mantener en secreto lo que escuchan durante el proceso.

Es como un grupo de amigos que se reúnen para decidir si alguien hizo algo malo. Deben ser justos, no dejarse llevar por sus emociones y no contarle a nadie lo que hablaron entre ellos.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que un grupo de ciudadanos, como Juan y María, forman un gran jurado. Tienen que escuchar testimonios sobre un posible robo en su vecindario. Deben decidir si hay suficiente evidencia para acusar a alguien, asegurándose de que no actúan por favoritismos o rencores personales.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

(1) When the grand jury is impaneled, the court shall appoint one of the jurors to be foreman, and also another of the jurors to act as foreman in case of the absence of the foreman.(2) The grand jurors must be sworn pursuant to the following oath: "You, as grand jurors for the county of . . . . . ., do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will diligently inquire into and true presentment make of all such matters and things as shall come to your knowledge and you will submit things truly as they come to your knowledge, according to your charge the laws of this state and your understanding; you shall indict no person through envy, hatred, malice or political consideration; neither will you leave any person unindicted through fear, favor, affection, reward or the hope thereof or political consideration. The counsel of the state, his advice, and that of your fellows you shall keep secret."(3) After a grand jury has been sworn, the court must deliver or cause to be delivered to each grand juror a printed copy of all the provisions of this chapter, and the court may give the grand jurors any oral or written instructions, or both, relating to the proper performance of their duties at any time it deems necessary or appropriate.(4) The court shall appoint a reporter to record the proceedings before the grand jury or special inquiry judge, and shall swear him not to disclose any testimony or the name of any witness except as provided in RCW 10.27.090. In addition, the foreman of the grand jury may, in his discretion, select one of the grand jurors to act as secretary to keep records of the grand jury's business.(5) The court, whenever necessary, shall appoint an interpreter, and shall swear him not to disclose any testimony or the name of any witness except as provided in RCW