Admisibilidad de pruebas en delitos sexuales

Explicación Simple

Si alguien es acusado de un delito sexual, el juez puede permitir que se hable de otros delitos similares que esa persona haya cometido antes. Esto se hace para mostrar que la persona tiene un patrón de comportamiento.

Es como si en un juego de fútbol, un jugador que ha cometido faltas en partidos anteriores puede ser observado de cerca en el siguiente partido. El árbitro considera su historial para decidir si merece una tarjeta amarilla.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan es acusado de haber cometido un delito sexual. Durante el juicio, el fiscal presenta pruebas de que Juan también había sido condenado por otro delito similar hace un par de años. Esto podría influir en la decisión del jurado sobre su culpabilidad.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

RCW 10.58.090 - Sex offenses -- Admissibility (1) In a criminal action in which the defendant is accused of a sex offense, evidence of the defendant's commission of another sex offense or sex offenses is admissible, notwithstanding Evidence Rule 404(b), if the evidence is not inadmissible pursuant to Evidence Rule 403.(2) In a case in which the state intends to offer evidence under this rule, the attorney for the state shall disclose the evidence to the defendant, including statements of witnesses or a summary of the substance of any testimony that is expected to be offered, at least fifteen days before the scheduled date of trial or at such later time as the court may allow for good cause.(3) This section shall not be construed to limit the admission or consideration of evidence under any other evidence rule.(4) For purposes of this section, "sex offense" means:(a) Any offense defined as a sex offense by RCW 9.94A.030;(b) Any violation under RCW 9A.44.096 (sexual misconduct with a minor in the second degree); and(c) Any violation under RCW 9.68A.090 (communication with a minor for immoral purposes).(5) For purposes of this section, uncharged conduct is included in the definition of "sex offense."(6) When evaluating whether evidence of the defendant's commission of another sexual offense or offenses should be excluded pursuant to Evidence Rule 403, the trial judge shall consider the following factors:(a) The similarity of the prior acts to the acts charged;(b) The closeness in time of the prior acts to the acts charged;(c) The frequency of the prior acts;(d) The presence or lack of intervening circumstances;(e) The necessity of the evidence beyond the testimonies already offered at trial;(f) Whether the prior act was a criminal conviction;(g) Whether the probative v