Poderes y deberes del juez especial de investigación en Washington

Explicación Simple

Un juez especial en Washington puede revisar pruebas y testimonios para ayudar en juicios. Si alguien habla de lo que pasó en su corte, puede tener problemas con la ley.

Es como cuando un entrenador de fútbol tiene que revisar las jugadas en video para mejorar el equipo. El juez especial hace algo similar, pero con testimonios y pruebas para que la justicia funcione mejor.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Ana es denunciada por un delito. Un juez especial revisa testimonios de testigos que no son públicos. Si uno de esos testigos cuenta lo que vio, podría enfrentar una multa o problemas legales.

Penalidades

Un testigo que revela su testimonio enfrenta un cargo menor.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

The statewide special inquiry judge may also, upon proper application and upon a showing of good cause, make available to a defendant in a subsequent criminal proceeding other testimony or evidence when given or presented before a special inquiry judge, if doing so is in the furtherance of justice.(7) Have authority to perform such other duties as may be required to effectively implement this chapter, in accord with rules adopted by the supreme court relating to these proceedings.(8) Have authority to hold in contempt of court any person who shall disclose the name or testimony of a witness examined before a statewide special inquiry judge except when required by a court to disclose the testimony given before such statewide special inquiry judge in a subsequent criminal proceeding. RCW 10.29.060 - Disclosures by witness -- Penalty Any witness who shall disclose the fact that he or she has been called as a witness before a statewide special inquiry judge or who shall disclose the nature of the testimony given shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. RCW 10.29.070 - Rules The supreme court shall develop and adopt rules to govern the procedures of a statewide special inquiry judge proceeding including rules assuring the confidentiality of all proceedings, testimony, and the identity of persons called as witnesses. The adoption of such rules shall be subject to the approval of such rules by the senate and house judiciary committees. RCW 10.29.080 - Special prosecutor -- Selection -- Qualifications -- Removal If the supreme court appoints a statewide special inquiry judge under RCW 10.29.030, the organized crime advisory board shall submit to the governor the name of an individual who, with the consent of the governor, shall serve as special prosecutor for the statewide spe