Requisitos para la acusación en el procedimiento penal de Washington

Explicación Simple

Cuando alguien es acusado de un crimen, la acusación debe decir quién es la persona, qué hizo y cómo. Esto es para que cualquiera pueda entender de qué se le acusa sin confusiones.

Es como si alguien te dijera que rompiste una ventana. Necesitan ser claros sobre qué ventana fue, cuándo sucedió y cómo lo hiciste, para que tú sepas exactamente de qué se está hablando.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es acusado de robar en una tienda. La acusación debe decir que fue en la tienda de la esquina el 1 de enero, y que Juan tomó un teléfono. Así, todos saben exactamente qué pasó y quién está involucrado.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 10.37.052 - Indictment or information -- Requisites The indictment or information must contain --(1) The title of the action, specifying the name of the court to which the indictment or information is presented and the names of the parties;(2) A statement of the acts constituting the offense, in ordinary and concise language, without repetition, and in such manner as to enable a person of common understanding to know what is intended. RCW 10.37.054 - Indictment or information -- Certainty The indictment or information must be direct and certain as it regards:(1) The party charged;(2) The crime charged; and(3) The particular circumstances of the crime charged, when they are necessary to constitute a complete crime. RCW 10.37.056 - Indictment or information -- Certain defects or imperfections deemed immaterial No indictment or information is insufficient, nor can the trial, judgment or other proceedings thereon be affected, by reason of any of the following matters, which were formerly deemed defects or imperfections:(1) For want of an allegation of the time or place of any material fact, when the time and place have been once stated;(2) For the omission of any of the following allegations, namely: "With force and arms," "contrary to the form of the statute or the statutes," or "against the peace and dignity of the state;"(3) For the omission to allege that the grand jury was impaneled, sworn, or charged;(4) For any surplusage or repugnant allegation or for any repetition, when there is sufficient matter alleged to indicate clearly the offense and the person charged; nor(5) For any other matter which was formerly deemed a defect or imperfection, but which does not tend to the prejudice of the substantial rights of the defendant upon the merits.