亲属拒证特权研究

The Study on Family Privilege

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归属学者:

王剑虹

归属院系:

法学院

作者:

王剑虹

导师:

龙宗智

学位:

博士

语种:

中文

关键词:

亲属;亲属拒证特权;亲亲相隐;刑事诉讼;鼓励亲属作证机制

摘要:

亲属拒证特权乃证人特权制度的重要组成部分,它既顺应人类的人性本能与自然情感的需要,也有利于维护家庭关系及整个社会的和谐。各主要法治国家及我国的香港、台湾与澳门地区均在各自的立法中具体规定了亲属拒证特权,在我国的历史上也曾长期存续着以亲亲相隐为主体内容的亲属拒绝作证制度。然而在现今中国大陆地区的刑事诉讼法中却不见亲属拒证特权的“踪影”,这不仅会在一定程度上阻碍我国刑事证人制度的有效运行,还会对公民个人、家庭及整个社会产生一定的直接或间接之消极影响。随着构建和谐社会成为我国当前社会主义建设的一个重要目标,在立法及司法中强调以人为本的价值理念也已经得到了广大社会公众的普遍认可,那么在刑事证据立法的价值取向上同样需要在一定程度上体现对人性的尊重及对和谐的追求,而亲属拒证特权制度的精神实质则正好与此价值理念相契合,故在立法上设计一个科学合理的亲属拒证特权制度就具有相当必要性。因此,本文将对亲属拒证特权的相关问题进行初步的探讨,以资有利于我国刑事证人制度的立法与实践。全文包括引言及正文(四章),约16万字。 引言部分主要阐述本文研究的主要问题、研究现状及研究方法。 第一章为亲属拒证特权的基础理论问题。文章指出:从构成要素来看,亲属拒证特权之主体限定为法定亲等中的亲属证人,而享有亲属拒证特权之证人的拒证或作证行为具有权利性特征。对于亲属拒证特权的正当性价值问题,文章认为可以从西方学说、心理学、经济学及现实角度进行多方面多层次的解读与分析。西方学者对亲属拒证特权进行理论解读时,提出了实用说、人性说、隐私权说及印象说等多种观点。持实用说的学者认为,亲属拒证特权之价值在于其能够促进家庭成员之间形成和谐的关系以及强化他们之间的相互信任感,且由此产生的积极意义及社会效益远大于排除相关亲属证言所付出的成本。持人性说观点的学者认为,亲属拒证特权之价值在于对人性的尊重。隐私权说则主张,亲属拒证特权之价值在于其能够充分保护公民的隐私权。印象说认为,亲属拒证特权之价值主要在于维护司法审判制度之良好信用。实质上,这四种学说是从不同角度对亲属拒证特权的价值加以解读,其中实用说在学界得到较为广泛的支持。而从心理学角度对亲属拒证特权的价值进行分析时,则又可以从作证行为及证言形成等两个方面对亲属拒证特权的正当性加以阐释。证人与犯罪嫌疑人、被告人存在亲属关系,这会在心理上对证人的作证动机及证言形成产生一定影响。在作证行为之动机方面,亲属证人通常缺乏就不利于犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的问题进行作证的动机,如果办案机关对其施加压力,则会对证人、当事人以及办案机关产生一定的不利后果,而确认亲属拒证特权则能较好的避免上述问题;在证言形成方面,亲属证人与犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的亲属关系对证人的知觉、记忆及陈述可能会产生一定的负面干扰,从而导致亲属证人证言在一定程度上误导办案方向的可能性。故认可亲属拒证特权也能防止办案机关因亲属证人证言的虚假性而付出相应的成本。从经济学的角度来分析,亲属拒证特权同样有着降低司法成本,提高诉讼效益及实现其他社会效益的价值。对于办案机关来说,亲属拒证特权的适用能够在一定程度上降低办案成本,提高诉讼效率;而对于亲属证人来说,在有作证选择自由的前提下,其本身作证的物质成本及精神成本也会有所降低,而相关的效益也能得以提升。最后,我们还可以从我国的现实来具体分析亲属拒证特权的价值。对于公民个人来说,亲属拒证特权的适用有利于人性关怀与人权保护;对于社会整体来说,亲属拒证特权的适用则有利于强化社会的稳定与和谐;最后,对于诉讼本身来说,亲属拒证特权的适用还有利于实现诉讼的公正价值及效益的价值。 第二章重点介绍两大法系亲属拒证特权制度的理论、立法与实践,对其中的制度差异进行了较为深入的分析与比较,并指出该差异形成的主要原因。文章认为:两大法系的亲属拒证特权制度均经历了一个从亲属无作证资格至亲属拒证特权的发展历程。大多数英美法系国家及地区在立法上认可的亲属拒证特权仅包括婚姻关系特权,仅有极少国家及地区认可父母—子女拒证特权。且英美法系国家的亲属拒证特权受到较为严格的适用限制。以美国为例,在联邦制定法层面,美国亲属拒证特权仅包括婚姻关系特权,它具体由配偶证言特权及婚内交流特权组成。这两种特权在实践中的适用均受到较为严格的限制。比如它们均对婚姻关系的合法性及有效性加以严格的规定,非法的婚姻以及虚假、欺诈性的婚姻或无存续可能性的婚姻均会导致不能成功主张拒证特权的后果。配偶证言特权还对证言的性质有一定的限制性。而婚内交流特权则对交流意图、性质等加以限定,如夫妻之间缺乏交流意图、交流信息不具秘密性,婚内交流特权也难以成功主张。除此以外,美国还通过诸多的例外如共同犯罪、夫妻相犯、家庭暴力等来严格限制婚姻关系特权的主张。而父母—子女拒证特权的认可问题在美国的理论界及实务界有着较多的争议。该特权的支持者们从宪法、法律及公共政策等多个角度来论证认可此特权的必要性,但反对者也提出了拒绝认可该特权的充分理由,且从总体上来看,美国的实务界及学术界对父母—子女拒证特权的认可问题在总体上持较为谨慎的态度。从实践来看,美国联邦制定法未认可父母—子女拒证特权,但有少数联邦法院曾在其判例中认可该特权,但并未得到广泛的推广;在各州法层面,则有康涅狄格州、爱达荷州、明尼苏达州及马萨诸塞州等四个州认可父母—子女拒证特权,但它们的立法中对此特权的适用均进行了极为严格的限制。而在英联邦国家,除了澳大利亚联邦法认可父母—子女拒证特权以外,其他国家如英国、加拿大及南非等主要国家均只认可婚姻关系特权,且均对此特权进行了较多的适用限制。较之英美法系国家,大陆法系国家的亲属拒证特权之立法则相对宽泛。以德国为例,其立法中明确规定的亲属拒证特权既包括基于身份的拒证特权,也包括基于特定事项的拒证特权。同时以德国为代表的大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权的适用范围均相当宽泛。通过比较可以发现,两大法系亲属拒证特权制度在立法上的突出差异可以概括为:英美法系国家对亲属拒证特权持严格限制的态度,大陆法系国家对亲属拒证特权持相对宽泛的态度,其具体表现为两个方面:其一是拒证特权享有的主体范围不同,即英美法系国家通常将拒证特权的主体范围主要限定为配偶;而大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权的主体范围则相当宽泛,不仅包括配偶,还包括其他法定亲等血亲及姻亲之亲属。其二是受拒证特权保护的证言范围有所不同,英美法系国家受拒证特权保护的证言仅包括涉及婚内秘密交流的证言以及不利于被告的证言,而大陆法系国家则对受保护证言的性质未加以限制,只要证人为法定亲等的亲属即有权拒绝提供任何证言。根据分析,造成上述差异的原因主要有三:原因之一是两大法系亲属拒证特权之起源有所不同。英美法系国家的亲属拒证特权起源于“配偶无作证资格”这一传统普通法规则,而大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权则起源于以“家族保护制”为基础的“家庭成员不得互相作证”之规则。原因之二是两大法系亲属拒证特权之形成途径有所不同。英美法系国家的亲属拒证特权的种类及具体规则通过判例得以建立及发展,所以认可一种新的特权以及扩展特权的适用范围注定困难重重。而大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权的形成则是立法者们在制定刑事诉讼法或证据法时事先规定的,立法者在进行立法活动时就会充分预计该法律规则在适用中可能会遇到的所有问题,故其立法者对亲属拒证特权持较宽松的态度。原因之三在于不同诉讼模式下亲属拒证特权对事实发现的影响不同。首先,英美法系的对抗制诉讼模式下,一方面案件客观真实情况的发现对于证人证言等言辞证据的依赖性较大,而亲属拒证特权的适用范围过于宽泛必然会导致大量的言辞证据之流失,另一方面,由于对抗制诉讼模式下,由当事人主导证明活动,所以律师与证人之间的联系与互动较为频繁,证人主张拒证特权的频率就相对较高,所以在这种情况下,如果不对亲属拒证特权的适用加以严格限制,就必然会对案件事实的探寻产生极大不利的影响,故英美法系国家的理论界及实务界人士不愿意对该特权的适用加以扩展。而大陆法系国家在传统上认为言辞证据的证明力相对较低,因此对证人证言等言辞证据的真实发现之功能持怀疑态度,加之大陆法系国家主导证明活动的是法官,所以证人与律师之间的联系与互动相对较少,证人主张拒证特权的频率相对较低,这对于关键证据流失的影响也就较为有限,因此立法者就不必担心过度宽泛的亲属拒证特权会对司法正义的实现产生消极效应。 第三章则立足本土资源来重点介绍我国亲亲相隐制度的发展沿革,并分析其长期存续之原因。古代亲亲相隐的观念可能始于春秋,首先正式提出亲亲相隐观念的学者则为儒家代表人物孔子。亲亲相隐制度的正式立法起源在学术界存有一定的争议,经过较为细致的考证,针对有学者认为该制度起源于秦律及汉代《二年律令》的观点提出质疑,认为在秦律及《二年律令》中仅体现出亲亲相隐精神的萌芽,而并非为完整意义上的亲亲相隐制度。另外在司法实践方面,许多学者曾将“衡山太子刘爽案”当作司法实践中适用亲亲相隐之典型案例,但论文却对此提出了质疑,经过考证认为该案并未适用亲亲相隐原则。完整意义上的亲亲相隐制度在立法上应当起源于汉宣帝地节四年的诏书规定。亲亲相隐制度的发展及完善历经魏晋南北朝时期(不稳定状态中之发展)、隋唐至明清时期(稳定发展中的完善)以及清末民初时期(近代化转型的实现)三个阶段,其中唐律中的亲亲相隐制度最为细致与完整。从整个历史发展来看,中国亲亲相隐制度发展的历史规律有三:其一是容隐范围呈扩大化趋势;其二是容隐行为的性质从义务向权利的转化性;其三是容隐方向由单向到双向的转化性。亲亲相隐制度在我国历史上的存续时间长达两千余年,那么其背后必然有着深刻的经济、文化、政治及人性心理原因。首先,亲亲相隐制度的长期存续在经济上的原因在于小农经济的生产方式。在小农经济的生产方式中,个体家庭是社会生产的基本单位,个体家庭在正常的生产活动中需要对劳动力加以保护,且要提高生产效率则在一定程度上需要强化家庭成员之间的信任从而实现生产经验的传授,同时个体家庭生产也需要一个和谐稳定的社会环境,加之古代个体家庭的抗风险能力较弱等因素,这些都在一定程度上使得统治者在立法中会考虑亲亲相隐制度。其次,亲亲相隐制度之长期存续在文化上的原因则在于儒家文化的绝对主导地位,包括儒家文化中的“仁爱”观念、“孝道”精神、“礼治”方法及“和谐”理想等均为亲亲相隐制度的长期存续提供了坚实的文化土壤。再次,亲亲相隐制度的长期存续在政治上的原因则在于我国古代“家国同构”的传统伦理型政治形态。一方面,这种政治伦理在政治体系中表现为君父权威的充分树立;另一方面,在统治规则上又体现为忠孝观念的遥相呼应。所以,从封建统治者强化其专制统治基础的需要角度来看,亲亲相隐制度也有其存在的必然性。最后,亲亲相隐制度的长期存续还有人性及民族心理方面的原因。一方面亲亲相隐制度符合人的自然本性要求,这一点无论在古代或是在现代均为亲亲相隐或亲属拒证特权存续的固有因素。另一方面,我国传统中的家族至上之民族心理则为亲亲相隐制度长期存续的心理基础。 第四章重点讨论我国大陆地区亲属拒证特权的制度设计。亲属拒证特权制度在我国的香港、澳门及台湾地区的立法中得以延续,我国香港地区的亲属拒证特权具有明显的英美法系特征,而我国台湾地区及澳门地区的亲属拒证特权则有着突出的大陆法系特征。而在我国大陆地区,亲属拒证特权制度自1949年以后就成为了我国法制史上的“失踪者”,其原因主要有三个方面:其一是1949年以后对“六法全书”的彻底废除与过度批判,其二是对前苏联诉讼证据理论及制度的盲目性效仿,其三是由于历次政治运动的破坏性影响。我国大陆地区亲属拒证特权制度的缺位所引起的消极影响也是多方面的:其一,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位对家庭成员个体会产生负面效应。对于被告来说,亲属对其的指证既可能损害家庭关系,又会影响到对其的改造。对于证人来说,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位对其心理、工作及生活同样会带来较大的消极影响。其二,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位对整个社会也有一定负面影响,如不利于社会信任的形成以及影响社会的和谐与稳定等。其三,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位还会对诉讼本身产生一定的影响,包括阻碍案件真实的发现、降低诉讼效率、损害法律权威等。从我国当前亲属证人制度的运行来看,在实践中主要存有三方面的问题:其一是亲属证人作证的无选择性,其二是亲属证人出庭作证的受限性,其三是控辩双方提出之亲属证言在采纳上的不平等性。同时,从我国当前的公众心理、经济、政治及文化等角度来考查,对亲属拒证特权制度的立法认可有着一定的现实性基础。所以我们有必要在立足本土资源,借鉴外国立法及我国其他地区(尤其是我国台湾地区)经验之基础上,构建契合中国国情及司法现实的亲属拒证特权制度。在具体制度的设计内容上包括亲属拒证特权类型的界定,特权的权利主体、适用的对象范围、适用的例外规定及相关的程序性事项等:第一,在亲属拒证特权的类型界定方面,我们可以借鉴我国台湾地区的立法经验,认可基于亲属身份的一般拒证特权以及基于特定事项的拒证特权。在此部分,有两个问题需要特别说明:一是不特别规定强制亲属证人为辩方作证。如此设计是基于常情常理及亲属证人作为辩方证人所提供证言之证明力的有限性之考虑。二是对于立法认可基于特定事项的拒证特权,其正当性理由主要在于,实现刑事诉讼立法与国际公约的衔接以及平等保护证人与其亲属的和谐关系(而不论证人的亲属是否本案的犯罪嫌疑人或被告人)。第二,特权的权利主体应当限定于证人,而不得将其扩展到被告人。第三,亲属拒证特权适用的对象范围之规定既需体现一定的严格性,也可以体现出一定的灵活性。一方面在立法中应当将亲属拒证特权适用的对象范围严格限定为刑事诉讼法中规定的近亲属范围,且特别说明与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人之间属不具合法婚姻关系的证人不应享有亲属拒证特权(主要是基于维护家庭和谐的原因)。另一方面,考虑到实践中可能会遇到的某些特殊情况,故在立法上规定亲属拒证特权适用的对象范围时,也可以适当的体现一定的灵活性。对某些成员构成较为特殊的家庭,可以规定,与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人有三代以内血亲关系或姻亲关系的有关人员,根据其与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人关系的亲近程度(如其是否与与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人共同居住、共同居住的时间长短、有无赡养、扶养、抚养关系等因素)来判断是否对其适用亲属拒证特权。第四,对亲属拒证特权的例外规定问题,我们可以借鉴英美法系国家的立法经验,并结合中国的国情来加以考虑。对于针对家庭成员的犯罪、被告人亲属与被告、证人与其亲属共同犯罪的案件,危害国家安全、国防安全等重大犯罪案件以及对于适用特权可能产生“近在眉睫”的重大危险或无法消除即将发生的重大危险的情况,均可规定适用亲属拒证特权的例外。第五,在亲属拒证特权制度的设计中还有必要考虑有关拒证特权适用的程序性事项。首先,办案人员在案件的侦查、审理阶段有必要对法定亲等范围内的亲属证人进行拒证特权告知。不过在告知证人时应注意具体内容上的一般性,而不应过分强调“拒绝作证”,以防止证人对此发生误解。如果办案机关未依法对亲属证人进行权利告知,那么可以根据具体情况来考虑是否排除亲属证言。其次,对亲属拒证特权的提出与放弃问题,一方面应当规定,亲属拒证特权应由证人提出,且证人在提出该主张时必须证明其要求适用拒证特权的原因,即其与被告存在法定的亲属关系。另一方面,亲属证人也应享有自愿放弃亲属拒证特权的权利。最后,为了防止亲属拒证特权的虚置,应当规定证人行使亲属拒证特权不会导致对证人及被告的不利推论。在考虑立法认可并设计亲属拒证特权制度的同时,我们也不否认亲属拒证特权的适用同样可能会导致某些重要证据的流失,为了消解因此而导致的负面后果,我们可以考虑建立鼓励亲属作证的机制,以实现多元价值的平衡。一方面,可以建立鼓励控方证人作证的机制:其中可以通过立法规定,与被告的犯罪行为无牵连的普通控方证人向办案机关提供有关犯罪证据及线索,在符合特定条件的情况下(抓捕时无抗拒行为,被捕后主动如实交代犯罪行为)可以认定被告有自首情节,并可酌情对其从轻、减轻或免除刑事处罚,另外如果被告人不符合上述要求,同样可以根据具体案件情况酌情对被告进行从轻处罚,以实现对亲属证人作证行为的鼓励。与此同时还可以建立污点证人作证豁免制度来鼓励与被告犯罪有牵连的亲属证人选择作证行为。另一方面还有必要建立鼓励辩方证人作证的机制:一是强调控方不得随意追究辩方证人的伪证责任,二是法院也应尽量许可辩方证人出庭作证的正当要求,并客观评价为辩方作证的亲属证人之证言。

学科:

诉讼法学

提交日期

2018-01-11

引用参考

王剑虹. 亲属拒证特权研究[D]. 西南政法大学,2009.

全文附件授权许可

知识共享许可协议-署名

  • dc.title
  • 亲属拒证特权研究
  • dc.title
  • The Study on Family Privilege
  • dc.contributor.schoolno
  • 200600048
  • dc.contributor.author
  • 王剑虹
  • dc.contributor.degree
  • 博士
  • dc.contributor.degreeConferringInstitution
  • 西南政法大学
  • dc.identifier.year
  • 2009
  • dc.contributor.advisor
  • 龙宗智
  • dc.language.iso
  • 中文
  • dc.subject
  • 亲属;;亲属拒证特权;;亲亲相隐;;刑事诉讼;;鼓励亲属作证机制
  • dc.subject
  • Kinfolk;; Family Privilege;; Kinship Concealment;; Criminal Procedure;; The Mechanism Of Encouraging Kinfolks To Testify
  • dc.description.abstract
  • 亲属拒证特权乃证人特权制度的重要组成部分,它既顺应人类的人性本能与自然情感的需要,也有利于维护家庭关系及整个社会的和谐。各主要法治国家及我国的香港、台湾与澳门地区均在各自的立法中具体规定了亲属拒证特权,在我国的历史上也曾长期存续着以亲亲相隐为主体内容的亲属拒绝作证制度。然而在现今中国大陆地区的刑事诉讼法中却不见亲属拒证特权的“踪影”,这不仅会在一定程度上阻碍我国刑事证人制度的有效运行,还会对公民个人、家庭及整个社会产生一定的直接或间接之消极影响。随着构建和谐社会成为我国当前社会主义建设的一个重要目标,在立法及司法中强调以人为本的价值理念也已经得到了广大社会公众的普遍认可,那么在刑事证据立法的价值取向上同样需要在一定程度上体现对人性的尊重及对和谐的追求,而亲属拒证特权制度的精神实质则正好与此价值理念相契合,故在立法上设计一个科学合理的亲属拒证特权制度就具有相当必要性。因此,本文将对亲属拒证特权的相关问题进行初步的探讨,以资有利于我国刑事证人制度的立法与实践。全文包括引言及正文(四章),约16万字。 引言部分主要阐述本文研究的主要问题、研究现状及研究方法。 第一章为亲属拒证特权的基础理论问题。文章指出:从构成要素来看,亲属拒证特权之主体限定为法定亲等中的亲属证人,而享有亲属拒证特权之证人的拒证或作证行为具有权利性特征。对于亲属拒证特权的正当性价值问题,文章认为可以从西方学说、心理学、经济学及现实角度进行多方面多层次的解读与分析。西方学者对亲属拒证特权进行理论解读时,提出了实用说、人性说、隐私权说及印象说等多种观点。持实用说的学者认为,亲属拒证特权之价值在于其能够促进家庭成员之间形成和谐的关系以及强化他们之间的相互信任感,且由此产生的积极意义及社会效益远大于排除相关亲属证言所付出的成本。持人性说观点的学者认为,亲属拒证特权之价值在于对人性的尊重。隐私权说则主张,亲属拒证特权之价值在于其能够充分保护公民的隐私权。印象说认为,亲属拒证特权之价值主要在于维护司法审判制度之良好信用。实质上,这四种学说是从不同角度对亲属拒证特权的价值加以解读,其中实用说在学界得到较为广泛的支持。而从心理学角度对亲属拒证特权的价值进行分析时,则又可以从作证行为及证言形成等两个方面对亲属拒证特权的正当性加以阐释。证人与犯罪嫌疑人、被告人存在亲属关系,这会在心理上对证人的作证动机及证言形成产生一定影响。在作证行为之动机方面,亲属证人通常缺乏就不利于犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的问题进行作证的动机,如果办案机关对其施加压力,则会对证人、当事人以及办案机关产生一定的不利后果,而确认亲属拒证特权则能较好的避免上述问题;在证言形成方面,亲属证人与犯罪嫌疑人、被告人的亲属关系对证人的知觉、记忆及陈述可能会产生一定的负面干扰,从而导致亲属证人证言在一定程度上误导办案方向的可能性。故认可亲属拒证特权也能防止办案机关因亲属证人证言的虚假性而付出相应的成本。从经济学的角度来分析,亲属拒证特权同样有着降低司法成本,提高诉讼效益及实现其他社会效益的价值。对于办案机关来说,亲属拒证特权的适用能够在一定程度上降低办案成本,提高诉讼效率;而对于亲属证人来说,在有作证选择自由的前提下,其本身作证的物质成本及精神成本也会有所降低,而相关的效益也能得以提升。最后,我们还可以从我国的现实来具体分析亲属拒证特权的价值。对于公民个人来说,亲属拒证特权的适用有利于人性关怀与人权保护;对于社会整体来说,亲属拒证特权的适用则有利于强化社会的稳定与和谐;最后,对于诉讼本身来说,亲属拒证特权的适用还有利于实现诉讼的公正价值及效益的价值。 第二章重点介绍两大法系亲属拒证特权制度的理论、立法与实践,对其中的制度差异进行了较为深入的分析与比较,并指出该差异形成的主要原因。文章认为:两大法系的亲属拒证特权制度均经历了一个从亲属无作证资格至亲属拒证特权的发展历程。大多数英美法系国家及地区在立法上认可的亲属拒证特权仅包括婚姻关系特权,仅有极少国家及地区认可父母—子女拒证特权。且英美法系国家的亲属拒证特权受到较为严格的适用限制。以美国为例,在联邦制定法层面,美国亲属拒证特权仅包括婚姻关系特权,它具体由配偶证言特权及婚内交流特权组成。这两种特权在实践中的适用均受到较为严格的限制。比如它们均对婚姻关系的合法性及有效性加以严格的规定,非法的婚姻以及虚假、欺诈性的婚姻或无存续可能性的婚姻均会导致不能成功主张拒证特权的后果。配偶证言特权还对证言的性质有一定的限制性。而婚内交流特权则对交流意图、性质等加以限定,如夫妻之间缺乏交流意图、交流信息不具秘密性,婚内交流特权也难以成功主张。除此以外,美国还通过诸多的例外如共同犯罪、夫妻相犯、家庭暴力等来严格限制婚姻关系特权的主张。而父母—子女拒证特权的认可问题在美国的理论界及实务界有着较多的争议。该特权的支持者们从宪法、法律及公共政策等多个角度来论证认可此特权的必要性,但反对者也提出了拒绝认可该特权的充分理由,且从总体上来看,美国的实务界及学术界对父母—子女拒证特权的认可问题在总体上持较为谨慎的态度。从实践来看,美国联邦制定法未认可父母—子女拒证特权,但有少数联邦法院曾在其判例中认可该特权,但并未得到广泛的推广;在各州法层面,则有康涅狄格州、爱达荷州、明尼苏达州及马萨诸塞州等四个州认可父母—子女拒证特权,但它们的立法中对此特权的适用均进行了极为严格的限制。而在英联邦国家,除了澳大利亚联邦法认可父母—子女拒证特权以外,其他国家如英国、加拿大及南非等主要国家均只认可婚姻关系特权,且均对此特权进行了较多的适用限制。较之英美法系国家,大陆法系国家的亲属拒证特权之立法则相对宽泛。以德国为例,其立法中明确规定的亲属拒证特权既包括基于身份的拒证特权,也包括基于特定事项的拒证特权。同时以德国为代表的大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权的适用范围均相当宽泛。通过比较可以发现,两大法系亲属拒证特权制度在立法上的突出差异可以概括为:英美法系国家对亲属拒证特权持严格限制的态度,大陆法系国家对亲属拒证特权持相对宽泛的态度,其具体表现为两个方面:其一是拒证特权享有的主体范围不同,即英美法系国家通常将拒证特权的主体范围主要限定为配偶;而大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权的主体范围则相当宽泛,不仅包括配偶,还包括其他法定亲等血亲及姻亲之亲属。其二是受拒证特权保护的证言范围有所不同,英美法系国家受拒证特权保护的证言仅包括涉及婚内秘密交流的证言以及不利于被告的证言,而大陆法系国家则对受保护证言的性质未加以限制,只要证人为法定亲等的亲属即有权拒绝提供任何证言。根据分析,造成上述差异的原因主要有三:原因之一是两大法系亲属拒证特权之起源有所不同。英美法系国家的亲属拒证特权起源于“配偶无作证资格”这一传统普通法规则,而大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权则起源于以“家族保护制”为基础的“家庭成员不得互相作证”之规则。原因之二是两大法系亲属拒证特权之形成途径有所不同。英美法系国家的亲属拒证特权的种类及具体规则通过判例得以建立及发展,所以认可一种新的特权以及扩展特权的适用范围注定困难重重。而大陆法系国家亲属拒证特权的形成则是立法者们在制定刑事诉讼法或证据法时事先规定的,立法者在进行立法活动时就会充分预计该法律规则在适用中可能会遇到的所有问题,故其立法者对亲属拒证特权持较宽松的态度。原因之三在于不同诉讼模式下亲属拒证特权对事实发现的影响不同。首先,英美法系的对抗制诉讼模式下,一方面案件客观真实情况的发现对于证人证言等言辞证据的依赖性较大,而亲属拒证特权的适用范围过于宽泛必然会导致大量的言辞证据之流失,另一方面,由于对抗制诉讼模式下,由当事人主导证明活动,所以律师与证人之间的联系与互动较为频繁,证人主张拒证特权的频率就相对较高,所以在这种情况下,如果不对亲属拒证特权的适用加以严格限制,就必然会对案件事实的探寻产生极大不利的影响,故英美法系国家的理论界及实务界人士不愿意对该特权的适用加以扩展。而大陆法系国家在传统上认为言辞证据的证明力相对较低,因此对证人证言等言辞证据的真实发现之功能持怀疑态度,加之大陆法系国家主导证明活动的是法官,所以证人与律师之间的联系与互动相对较少,证人主张拒证特权的频率相对较低,这对于关键证据流失的影响也就较为有限,因此立法者就不必担心过度宽泛的亲属拒证特权会对司法正义的实现产生消极效应。 第三章则立足本土资源来重点介绍我国亲亲相隐制度的发展沿革,并分析其长期存续之原因。古代亲亲相隐的观念可能始于春秋,首先正式提出亲亲相隐观念的学者则为儒家代表人物孔子。亲亲相隐制度的正式立法起源在学术界存有一定的争议,经过较为细致的考证,针对有学者认为该制度起源于秦律及汉代《二年律令》的观点提出质疑,认为在秦律及《二年律令》中仅体现出亲亲相隐精神的萌芽,而并非为完整意义上的亲亲相隐制度。另外在司法实践方面,许多学者曾将“衡山太子刘爽案”当作司法实践中适用亲亲相隐之典型案例,但论文却对此提出了质疑,经过考证认为该案并未适用亲亲相隐原则。完整意义上的亲亲相隐制度在立法上应当起源于汉宣帝地节四年的诏书规定。亲亲相隐制度的发展及完善历经魏晋南北朝时期(不稳定状态中之发展)、隋唐至明清时期(稳定发展中的完善)以及清末民初时期(近代化转型的实现)三个阶段,其中唐律中的亲亲相隐制度最为细致与完整。从整个历史发展来看,中国亲亲相隐制度发展的历史规律有三:其一是容隐范围呈扩大化趋势;其二是容隐行为的性质从义务向权利的转化性;其三是容隐方向由单向到双向的转化性。亲亲相隐制度在我国历史上的存续时间长达两千余年,那么其背后必然有着深刻的经济、文化、政治及人性心理原因。首先,亲亲相隐制度的长期存续在经济上的原因在于小农经济的生产方式。在小农经济的生产方式中,个体家庭是社会生产的基本单位,个体家庭在正常的生产活动中需要对劳动力加以保护,且要提高生产效率则在一定程度上需要强化家庭成员之间的信任从而实现生产经验的传授,同时个体家庭生产也需要一个和谐稳定的社会环境,加之古代个体家庭的抗风险能力较弱等因素,这些都在一定程度上使得统治者在立法中会考虑亲亲相隐制度。其次,亲亲相隐制度之长期存续在文化上的原因则在于儒家文化的绝对主导地位,包括儒家文化中的“仁爱”观念、“孝道”精神、“礼治”方法及“和谐”理想等均为亲亲相隐制度的长期存续提供了坚实的文化土壤。再次,亲亲相隐制度的长期存续在政治上的原因则在于我国古代“家国同构”的传统伦理型政治形态。一方面,这种政治伦理在政治体系中表现为君父权威的充分树立;另一方面,在统治规则上又体现为忠孝观念的遥相呼应。所以,从封建统治者强化其专制统治基础的需要角度来看,亲亲相隐制度也有其存在的必然性。最后,亲亲相隐制度的长期存续还有人性及民族心理方面的原因。一方面亲亲相隐制度符合人的自然本性要求,这一点无论在古代或是在现代均为亲亲相隐或亲属拒证特权存续的固有因素。另一方面,我国传统中的家族至上之民族心理则为亲亲相隐制度长期存续的心理基础。 第四章重点讨论我国大陆地区亲属拒证特权的制度设计。亲属拒证特权制度在我国的香港、澳门及台湾地区的立法中得以延续,我国香港地区的亲属拒证特权具有明显的英美法系特征,而我国台湾地区及澳门地区的亲属拒证特权则有着突出的大陆法系特征。而在我国大陆地区,亲属拒证特权制度自1949年以后就成为了我国法制史上的“失踪者”,其原因主要有三个方面:其一是1949年以后对“六法全书”的彻底废除与过度批判,其二是对前苏联诉讼证据理论及制度的盲目性效仿,其三是由于历次政治运动的破坏性影响。我国大陆地区亲属拒证特权制度的缺位所引起的消极影响也是多方面的:其一,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位对家庭成员个体会产生负面效应。对于被告来说,亲属对其的指证既可能损害家庭关系,又会影响到对其的改造。对于证人来说,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位对其心理、工作及生活同样会带来较大的消极影响。其二,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位对整个社会也有一定负面影响,如不利于社会信任的形成以及影响社会的和谐与稳定等。其三,亲属拒证特权制度的缺位还会对诉讼本身产生一定的影响,包括阻碍案件真实的发现、降低诉讼效率、损害法律权威等。从我国当前亲属证人制度的运行来看,在实践中主要存有三方面的问题:其一是亲属证人作证的无选择性,其二是亲属证人出庭作证的受限性,其三是控辩双方提出之亲属证言在采纳上的不平等性。同时,从我国当前的公众心理、经济、政治及文化等角度来考查,对亲属拒证特权制度的立法认可有着一定的现实性基础。所以我们有必要在立足本土资源,借鉴外国立法及我国其他地区(尤其是我国台湾地区)经验之基础上,构建契合中国国情及司法现实的亲属拒证特权制度。在具体制度的设计内容上包括亲属拒证特权类型的界定,特权的权利主体、适用的对象范围、适用的例外规定及相关的程序性事项等:第一,在亲属拒证特权的类型界定方面,我们可以借鉴我国台湾地区的立法经验,认可基于亲属身份的一般拒证特权以及基于特定事项的拒证特权。在此部分,有两个问题需要特别说明:一是不特别规定强制亲属证人为辩方作证。如此设计是基于常情常理及亲属证人作为辩方证人所提供证言之证明力的有限性之考虑。二是对于立法认可基于特定事项的拒证特权,其正当性理由主要在于,实现刑事诉讼立法与国际公约的衔接以及平等保护证人与其亲属的和谐关系(而不论证人的亲属是否本案的犯罪嫌疑人或被告人)。第二,特权的权利主体应当限定于证人,而不得将其扩展到被告人。第三,亲属拒证特权适用的对象范围之规定既需体现一定的严格性,也可以体现出一定的灵活性。一方面在立法中应当将亲属拒证特权适用的对象范围严格限定为刑事诉讼法中规定的近亲属范围,且特别说明与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人之间属不具合法婚姻关系的证人不应享有亲属拒证特权(主要是基于维护家庭和谐的原因)。另一方面,考虑到实践中可能会遇到的某些特殊情况,故在立法上规定亲属拒证特权适用的对象范围时,也可以适当的体现一定的灵活性。对某些成员构成较为特殊的家庭,可以规定,与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人有三代以内血亲关系或姻亲关系的有关人员,根据其与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人关系的亲近程度(如其是否与与犯罪嫌疑人或被告人共同居住、共同居住的时间长短、有无赡养、扶养、抚养关系等因素)来判断是否对其适用亲属拒证特权。第四,对亲属拒证特权的例外规定问题,我们可以借鉴英美法系国家的立法经验,并结合中国的国情来加以考虑。对于针对家庭成员的犯罪、被告人亲属与被告、证人与其亲属共同犯罪的案件,危害国家安全、国防安全等重大犯罪案件以及对于适用特权可能产生“近在眉睫”的重大危险或无法消除即将发生的重大危险的情况,均可规定适用亲属拒证特权的例外。第五,在亲属拒证特权制度的设计中还有必要考虑有关拒证特权适用的程序性事项。首先,办案人员在案件的侦查、审理阶段有必要对法定亲等范围内的亲属证人进行拒证特权告知。不过在告知证人时应注意具体内容上的一般性,而不应过分强调“拒绝作证”,以防止证人对此发生误解。如果办案机关未依法对亲属证人进行权利告知,那么可以根据具体情况来考虑是否排除亲属证言。其次,对亲属拒证特权的提出与放弃问题,一方面应当规定,亲属拒证特权应由证人提出,且证人在提出该主张时必须证明其要求适用拒证特权的原因,即其与被告存在法定的亲属关系。另一方面,亲属证人也应享有自愿放弃亲属拒证特权的权利。最后,为了防止亲属拒证特权的虚置,应当规定证人行使亲属拒证特权不会导致对证人及被告的不利推论。在考虑立法认可并设计亲属拒证特权制度的同时,我们也不否认亲属拒证特权的适用同样可能会导致某些重要证据的流失,为了消解因此而导致的负面后果,我们可以考虑建立鼓励亲属作证的机制,以实现多元价值的平衡。一方面,可以建立鼓励控方证人作证的机制:其中可以通过立法规定,与被告的犯罪行为无牵连的普通控方证人向办案机关提供有关犯罪证据及线索,在符合特定条件的情况下(抓捕时无抗拒行为,被捕后主动如实交代犯罪行为)可以认定被告有自首情节,并可酌情对其从轻、减轻或免除刑事处罚,另外如果被告人不符合上述要求,同样可以根据具体案件情况酌情对被告进行从轻处罚,以实现对亲属证人作证行为的鼓励。与此同时还可以建立污点证人作证豁免制度来鼓励与被告犯罪有牵连的亲属证人选择作证行为。另一方面还有必要建立鼓励辩方证人作证的机制:一是强调控方不得随意追究辩方证人的伪证责任,二是法院也应尽量许可辩方证人出庭作证的正当要求,并客观评价为辩方作证的亲属证人之证言。
  • dc.description.abstract
  • ·Family privilege is one of the important evidentiary privileges,which can meet the needs of human nature,instinct and emotion and can help to keep the harmonious family and society.Most countries recognize family privilege in their legislation,So do HongKong,Macao and TaiWan Of China.In the history of China,the system of kinship concealment existed for more than 2,000 years,however,there is no family privilege in Chinese Mainland now,which will influence the effective function of the witness system in criminal procedure and bring some direct or indirect impacts to the individual,family and society.Now establishing the harmonious society has been one of the important aims in socialistic construction.Human-oriented value idea in legislation and justice has been commonly accepted by the public,therefore,the legislation of criminal evidence should reflect the respect of humanity and pursuit of harmony,which is consistent with the spiritual essence of family privilege system.It is necessary to design a reasonable family privilege system.The dissertation will discuss the relative problems on family privilege and will help to the legislation and practice of the criminal witness system in Chinese Mainland.The Ph.D.dissertation consists of four chapters and the introduction,total 160,000 words. The introduction explains the main problems,present research situations and research methods. Chapter 1 introduces the basic theoretical problems of family privilege.The subject of family privilege is the legal kinfolk witnesses and they have the privilege to choose to testify or refuse to testify.The dissertation analyses the values of family privilege from the angles of western theories,psychology,economies and the reality of Chinese Mainland.Some western scholars put forward Utilitarian Theory,Humanistic Thoery,Privacy Theory and Image Theory.Utilitarian Theory suggests that family privilege can promote the harmonious family relation and strengthen the family trust,therefore,the positive value of the privilege exceeds the cost of excluding the family witness' testimony.Humanistic Thoery suggests that the value of family privilege is to respect the human nature.Privacy Theory suggests that family privilege helps to protect the privacy right of the citizen.Image Theory suggests that family privilege helps the justice system to obtain and keep the good credit.The four theories interpret the values of family privilege from the different points of view and many researchers support the Utilitarian Theory.When we use the psychology science to analyse the values of family privilege,we can interpret the justice value of the privilege in the choice of testifying and the form of testimony.The kinship between the witness and criminal suspect or the accused will affect the witness' motive of testifying and the form of testimony.The mentioned witness often has no movtive to provide the adverse testimony, if the prosecution and the court compel him(her) to testify,the witness,the relative party and the prosecution or the court will receive some bad results.And recongizing family privilege will avoid the appearance of some problems;The kinship between the witness and criminal suspect or the accused will also disturb the witness' consciousness,memory and statement,which may result in false testimony and mislead the investigation,prosecution and trial.Family privilege helps to avoid the cost of false testimony.Family privilege can reduce the justice costs and improve the benefits in economics.Family privilege helps to lower the cost of the investigation,prosecution and trial and improve the efficiency of handling case,and it can also avoid some material or spiritual costs of the witness and bring her(him) some interests.Finally,we can analyse the value of family privilege from the view of chinese reality.Adoption of family privilege can protect human nature and human right.It also helps to strengthen the harmony and the stabilization of the whole society;As to the criminal procedure,adoption of family privilege can realizing the values of justice and effectiveness. Chapter 2 introduces the legislaions and practices of family privilege system in Anglo-American law system and continental law system,analyses and compares the differences between them and points out the main reasons of the differences.The developments of the family privilege in two law system both experienced the course from incompetency of testifying to the privilege.The family privilege in most of the countries of Anglo-American law system only includes the spousal privilege,and only a few of countries admit the parent-child privilege.There are some strict limits on the family privilege in Anglo-American law system.For example,in U.S.federal statue,the family privileges include spousal privileges(spousal adverse testimony privilege and spousal communication privilege).The application of the privileges receives some strict limits:the marriage between the wife and husband must be legal and effective,and the illegal,false or fraud marriage will result in the failure of the privilege.The adoption of spousal adverse testimony privilege requires that the nature of the testimony meets the legal rules;The adoption of spousal communication privilege requires the legal communication intent and nature:Lack of communication intent between the husband and wife or lack of secret communication information will result in the failure of the spousal communication privilege.What's more, there are a lot of exceptions,such as joint participants,crimes against the families, family violence etc..There are a tot of disputes in admitting parent-child privilege in academic field and practice circle.The supporters of the privilege interpret the justice of it from constitution,legislation and public policy,but the opponents also suggest that there are adequate causes to deny the parent-child privilege.Generally speaking,the academic field and practice circle are cautious to the parent-child privilege.In practice,there is no federal statute which recognizes parent-child privilege,but there are some precedents of parent-child privilege in federal courts,but they are not generally accepted by other federal courts.Connecticut,Idahostate,Minnesota and Massachusetts admit parent-child privilege in their state statue or evidence act,but there are many strict limits on the privilege.Most of Commonwealth of Nations only admit the spousal privilege except Australia and there is also many limits on the mentioned privilege.The scope of the family privilege in the countries of continental law system are wider than that in the contries of Anglo-American law system.For example,in German criminal procedure code,the family privileges include the privilege of identity and the privilege of the special matters.The differences of the legislation of the family privilege between the two law system embody their adoption scope.There are more limits in Anglo-American law system than in continental law system:Firstly,the subject scope of the privilege is different.Only the spouse can claim the privilege in most countries of Anglo-American law system,while the scope of the subjects who can claim the privilege in the countries of continental law system is very wide,including the spouses and other legal kinfolks.Secondly,the scope of the testimony in privilege is different.The testimony in privilege in the countries of Anglo-American law system must be adverse or secret,while the privileged kinfolk's testimony in the countries of continental law system is free from legal limits.All the legal kinfolks of the suspect or the accused can refuse to testify.There are three reasons for the mentioned differences.Firstly,the origins of the family privilege in the two law systems are different.The origin of the family privilege in the countries of Angio-American law system is the old common law rule---"spousal incompetency",while the origin of the family privilege in the countries of continental law system is the rule of "families being forbidden to testify"on the base of "the system of kindred".Secondly, the form approaches of the family privileges in the two law systems are different.The category and rule of the family privilege in the countries of Anglo-American law system are established and developed by legal precedents,therefore,it is very difficult to admit a new privilege and extend the scope of the privilege.The category and rule of the family privilege in the countries of continental law system are established by legislation,and the legislators anticipate the possible problems of applying the family privilege,therefore,the scope of the privilege is relatively wide.Thirdly,the influences to the "fact-finding"of the family privilege in the different litigation modes are different.In the adversarial system,the "fact-finding" primarily depends on the verbal evidences such as the testimony,and the wide scope of the family privilege will result in excluding a lot of testimony.What's more, in the adversarial system,the litigant parties have the dominant status in proof process and the communications between the lawyers and the witness are frequent,therefore, "fact-finding"of the case will be blocked without the limits on the family privilege.It is understandable that the academic field and practice circle are cautious to extend the scope of the privilege.But in the countries of continental law system,the probative value of the verbal evidence is traditionally considered weak,therefore,the testimony's function of fact-finding is doubtful.And it is the judge who has the dominant status in proof process and the communications between the lawyers and the witness are less.So we can conclude that application of the family privilege will seldom result in excluding some testmony and the legislators need not worry about the family privilege's passive effects of the realization of the justice. Chapter 3 introduces the development of the system of kinship concealment in Chinese history and analyses the main reasons of its long-termed existence.The idea of kinship concealment may appear in the spring and autumn period and the scholar who first mentioned the kinship concealment is Confucius.There are some disputes in the origin of the formal legislation of system of kinship concealment in academic field.Some scholars suggest that the origin of the system of kinship concealmen is the law of Qin dynasty or two-year laws and decrees(Han Dynasty).But by carefully analysing the two origins,we can find there are some problems in the two mentioned points of view.In the law of Qin dynasty and two-year laws and decrees,the seed of the spirit of kinship concealment appeared,which is not formal and perfect.In practice,many scholars regard the case of "the Hen mountain prince Liu Shuang" as the typical precedent on kinship concealment,but the dissertation puts forward some doubts on the idea.By textual study,the kinship concealment didn't apply in the case.The formal kinship concealment system was established in the edict of Xuan Emperor in DiJie Fourth Year of Han Dynasty.The development of the system of kinship concealment experienced Wei and Jin Dynasties and North and South Dynasties(development in a unstable state)、Sui,Tany,Yuan,Song,Yuan,Ming and Qing Dynasties(improvement in the unstable development) and the Late-Qing-Early-ROC Period(realization of modernization).There are three development rules of the system of kinship concealment:Firstly,the scope of the kinship concealment has the tendency of extension;Secondly,the nature of the concealment has the translation tendency from obligation to right.Thirdly,the early unilateral concealment evolved into a bilateral one.The system of kinship concealment existed for more than 2,000 years in China, there are deep economic,cutural,political,humanistic and mental roots.Firstly,the small peasant economy is the economic reason.In small peasant economy,family is the basic production unit,therefore,it is very important to protect the labor force and keep normal production and strengthen family trust to communicate their working experiences and improve production.At the same time,the family production need a harmonious and stable social circumstance and the ancient family's ability to fight back the risks is weak, therefore,the governors would consider the system of kinship concealment in legislation. Secondly,the long existance of the system of kinship concealment has the cultural reason---the dominant status of the confucian culture,including the idea of "kindheartedness",the spirit of "Piety Morality",the method of "rule of rite" and the pursuit of "harmony".Thirdly,the political reasons of the system of kinship concealment include the political ethic of"the same structure of family and country ".On one side,the authority of emperor and father can be set up in the political system,on the other side,the idea of "Piety Morality" correspond to the idea of "monarch loyalty" in the rule of governance.Therefore,it is necessary for the feudal rulers to establish and develop the system of kinship concealment in order to strengthen their tyranny reign.Fourthly,the system of kinship concealment can meet the natural humanity.And the family-oriented national psychology is the basic reason for the long exitence of the system of kinship concealment. Chapter 4 debates the design of the legislation of family privilege in Chinese Mainland.The system of family privilege has continued in the legislation of HongKong, Macao and Taiwan.The system of family privilege in Hongkong has the obvious characters of that of Anglo-American law system,while the system of family privilege in Taiwan and macao have the obvious characters of that of continent law system.The family privilege system disappeared in Chinese Mainland since 1949,and the following are the reasons:firstly,"the complete literatures on six laws" were abolished and over-criticized. Secondly,the Legislation indiscriminately imitated the procedure and evidence theory and system of the former soviet.Thirdly,the all previous political movements brought some destructive influences.The lack of the family privilege in Chinese Mainland results in the following passive influences:Firstly,Lack of the family privilege will bring some bad effects to the families.If the kinfolk of the accused testifies against him(her),the family relation will be destoryed and the effect of reforming the accused will be affected.At the same time,if the kinfolk witness is compelled to testify,strong and large pressure will disturb his(her) spirit,work and life.Secondly,Lack of the family privilege will bring some passive influnces to the whole society,such as destroying the society trust and stability. Thirdly,lack of the family privilege will bring some passive influences to the litigation activity,including disturbing "the fact-finding" of the case,reducing the justice efficiency and impairing the authority of the law enforcement.In the justice practice in Chinese Mainland,there are three problems in the kinfolk witness system:Firstly,the kinfolk witness has no right to choose to testify.Secondly,the kinfolk witness' demand of testifying in the court is often refused.Thirdly,the court has a different unfair attitude to the kinfolk testimony of the accused.Now there are some realistic conditions in public idea,economy, politics and cuture to regonize the family privilege in the legislation,therefore,it is necessary for us to establish and design the system of the family privilege on the base of our native resources and the legislation experiences of foreign countries or the other districts in China(such as Taiwan).The main content of the legislation of the family privilege system includes the definition of the category of the family privilege,the subject of the privilege, the scope of the privilege,the exception to the privilege and the procedural matters of the privilege:firstly,we can learn from the legislation experiences of Taiwan and recognize the privilege of identity and the privilege of the special matter.There are two problems which need to be specially explained:the kinfolk witness should not be compelled to testify for the accused on the consideration of the common senses and the limited probative value of the testimony from the kinfolk as the of the accused.Secondly,the subject who can claim the privilege should be the kinfolk witness,and should not be extended to the accused.Thirdly,the scope of family privilege should embody both the strict reasonableness and the flexibleness.On one side,the scope of the family privilege is limited to the "close relatives" of the criminal procedure code.The spouse without legal marriage relation can't claim the family priviege(for the purpose of keep the harmonious family relation).On the other side,there are some special things in life and practice,therefore, the scope can sometimes embody the flexibleness.In order to protect some special family, the kinfolks,who has the kinship relationship within three generations with the accused or the suspect,can claim the family privilege according to the extent of their relations(for example,we can consider if they live together,the period of their cohabitation or if there is the relation of support,maintenance or bring-up.) Fourthly,we can learn the experience of the Anglo-American law system to design the exceptions to the family privilege,such as the exception to the crimes against families,the exception to the joint crime,the exception to the serious crime of endangering national security or national defence security and the exception to the immediate dangers or the other dangers which can't be eliminated.Fifthly,as to the procedural matters of the family privilege:first,the enforcement official should inform the privilege in the process of investigation and trial and the content of the informing should be neutral,not emphasizing "refusal of testifying "in order to avoid the misundersanding of the kinfolk witness.If the official doesn't inform the privilege,the kinfolk testimony can be excluded according to the specific conditions.Second,the kinfolk witness can claim or waive the family privilege.When the witness claims the privilege,he(she) must prove the relation of kinship.The kinfolk witness have the right to waive the family privilege with his(her) free will.Finally,in order to implement the family privilege,the disadvantageous presumption will not be concluded if the witness claims the privilege.At the same time,the adoption of the family privilege may exclude some important evidences.In order to reduce the passive influences of the mentioned results,the legislator may consider to establish the mechanism of encouraging kinfolks to testify and balance the different values.On one side,the mechanism of encouraging kinfolks to testify for the prosecution can be established:If the common kinfolk witness,who doesn't engage in the crime committed by the accused or the suspect,provides the valuable evidence to the enforcement officials and the suspect or the accused doesn't revolt and confesses the truth,the suspect or the accused can be regarded as a voluntary surrender and will receive a lighter punishment conditionally.If the accused revolts and doesn't confess the truth,he(she) will receive a ighter punishment conditionally.What's more,the exemption system for stain witness can be established in order to encourage the kinfolk witness who may engage in the crime to testify.On the other side,it is necessary to design the mechanism of encouraging kinfolks to testify for the accused:Firstly,the prosecution shouldn't investigate criminal responsibility of false testimony from the kinfolk witness;Secondly,the kinfolk witness for the accused should be permitted to testify in the court and his(her) testimony should be evaluated objectively.
  • dc.subject.discipline
  • D925.2
  • dc.date.issued
  • 2009-03-30
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