Murder in the first degree, premeditated homicide, is the most serious charge tried in our criminal courts. You have heard a long and complex case, gentlemen, and it is now your duty to sit down to try and separate the facts from the fancy, One man is dead, The life of another is at stake, If there is a reasonable doubt, in your minds as to the guilt of the accused-then you must declare him not guilty, If-however-there is no reasonable doubt, then he must be found guilty. Whichever way you decide, the verdict must be unanimous. I urge you to deliberate honestly and thoughtfully, you are faced with a grave responsibility. Thank you, gentlemen.
从影片中学到的司法第一个基石:Presumption of Innocence (无罪推定)
主要适用于刑事案件,在法院判决有罪之前,被告应当首先被假定是无罪的。这一原则是所有被告都享有的法定权利,也是联合国国际公约确认和保护的基本人权。美国宪法里虽然没有特意列出,但遵从宪法第五,六和十四修正案。1895年Coffin v. United State 案件,确立了刑事犯罪审判中被告的无罪推定权利。
正当程序被写进美国宪法第五和第十四修正案。正当程序涉及司法行政,可以防止政府在法律之外任意剥夺个人的生命,自由或财产(Life, Liberty and property)。
第五修正案(建议仔细研读全文):
“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
十四修正案中关于Due Process的部分:
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
美国宪法的宗旨是促进和保护life, liberty, or property, 正当程序就是保护个人的生命,自由和财产不被政府违法任意剥夺。
美国最高法院制定的正当程序,包括四种保护:
程序性正当Procedural due process(民事和刑事诉讼程序)要求政府在剥夺一个人的生命,自由或财产之前遵循公平程序。至少给予该人一个通知的机会,并由中立的决策者作出决定。公平程序包括: