Obligación de Testigos a Comparecer y Testificar

Explicación Simple

Si hay un juicio, los testigos pueden ser obligados a ir y contar lo que saben. Incluso si no les han pagado, deben asistir. Esto ayuda a que el juicio sea justo.

Es como cuando un profesor llama a un estudiante al pizarrón; aunque no quiera, tiene que ir y explicar lo que sabe para ayudar a la clase.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es testigo en un caso de robo. La corte lo cita para que hable sobre lo que vio. Aunque a Juan no le paguen por ir, debe presentarse, porque su testimonio es importante para que la justicia funcione.

Penalidades

No comparecer puede resultar en ser obligado a asistir, y se paga a los testigos por su tiempo y detención.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 10.52.040 - Compelling witness to attend and testify -- Accused as witness Witnesses may be compelled to attend and testify before the grand jury; and witnesses on behalf of the state, or of the defendant, in a criminal prosecution, may be compelled to attend and testify in open court, if they have been subpoenaed, without their fees being first paid or tendered, unless otherwise provided by law; the court may, upon the motion of the prosecuting attorney or defense counsel, recognize witnesses, with or without sureties, to attend and testify at any hearing or trial in any criminal prosecution in any court of this state, or before the grand jury. In default of such recognizance, or in the event that surety is required and has not been obtained, the court shall require the appearance of the witness before the court and shall appoint counsel for the witness if he is indigent and then shall determine that the testimony of the witness would be material to either the prosecution or the defendant and that the witness would not attend the trial of the matter unless detained and, therefore, the court may direct that such witness shall be detained in the custody of the sheriff until the hearing or trial in which the witness is to testify: PROVIDED, That each witness detained for failure to obtain surety shall be paid, in addition to witness fees for actual appearance in court, for each day of his detention a sum equal to the daily jury fee paid to a juror serving in a superior court; and each witness in breach of recognizance and who is detained therefor shall be paid, in addition to witness fees for actual appearance in court, the sum of one dollar for each day of his detention. Any such witness shall be provided food and lodging while so detained. Any person accused of