通过章莹颖失踪案了解美国司法常识
“章莹颖，女，26岁，伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校（UIUC）访问学者。于当地时间2017年6月9日中午失联。”在章莹颖失踪的70多天里，读者们对这句话已经太熟悉了。毕竟，该案已经成为维基百科词条。中国日报邀请纽约大学法学院法学博士、美国成美律所合伙人柳治平律师结合对此案的分析，为大家普及一些美国法律常识。
柳治平律师说：“刑事法律都试图平衡被告的个人权利、政府的执法权威、社会利益包括受害人及其家属要求的相关诉求。每一个法律体系的侧重不同，也因此有各自的利弊得失。”
“The laws try to balance the constitutional rights of the defendant, the legitimate interests of the State and to some extent of the victim and her family. Different law systems have different emphasizes, and as a result have different advantages.”
柳治平律师介绍了在美国联邦法框架下，一个刑事案件在几个核心的程序步骤：
1.检察官指控（criminal complaint/charge）
本案中，6月30号的指控书的结尾说：“截至6月30号章同学仍然失联，还有本案调查中发现的其他事实，执法部门不相信章同学还活着”。也就是说，章莹颖生还概率理论上存在，现实上很低。
In this case, the end of the June 30th criminal complaint read: “As of June 30, 2017, Zhang Yingying remains missing. Based on this, and other facts uncovered during the investigation of this matter, law enforcement does not believe that Zhang Yingying is still alive.” This means that Zhang Yingying may still be alive, but the odds of that is very low.
2.大陪审团指控（grand jury indictment）
本案中，7月12日联邦大陪审团起诉了嫌疑人。
In this case, the grand jury indicted the suspect on July 12th.
联邦大陪审团由至多23名普通民众组成，至少16人出席大陪审团程序，至少12人投赞成票，其决定才有效。
A federal grand jury consists of at most 23 ordinary civilians. For it to conduct any business, at least 16 jurors must be present; at least 12 jurors must vote for any indictment for it to be legally valid.
3.传讯（arraignment）
本案中，7月20日嫌疑人传讯。
In this case, the suspect was arraigned on July 20th.
被告被大陪审团指控后，法官正式当面告知被告政府对他的刑事指控。这个程序上，被告必须认罪（plead guilty）或者不认罪（not guilty）。
During the arraignment, a judge shall formally explain to the defendant the specific criminal charges brought against him by the government. During this procedure, the defendant will either plead guilty or not guilty.
过堂之后，庭审之前，如果双方同意，被告可以认更轻的罪，同意给予政府某种配合（比如作为政府证人帮助政府控告其他情节更严重的嫌疑人），换取更轻的惩罚，这叫辩控交易（plea bargain）。
After the arraignment but before the trial, if both parties agree, the defendant may plead guilty to some lesser charges by agreeing to cooperate with the government, for example, to serve as a witness for the government against co-conspirators. This is called a “plea bargain.”
4.庭审（Trial）
庭审分法官审（bench trial）和陪审团审（jury trial）两种。被告按照联邦宪法规定，有权决定是法官审还是陪审团审。如果决定庭审，检察官要将证据与被告律师分享，以让对方准备庭审。
Trials are divided into two categories: bench trials and jury trials. The defendant has the constitutional right to a jury trial. Prior to the trial, the prosecutor will share the evidence with the defendant’s lawyer to prepare for the defense.
如果是陪审团审，由普通百姓中筛选出来的12人陪审团按照合法进入庭审的证据和证词，认定事实。法官主要作用是一个裁判，在辩方和检察官的对抗过程中，裁定哪些证据证人证词可以进入庭审。 法官另外一个作用是向陪审团全体成员解释法律；陪审团不理解，有疑问时候能问法官。
If it is a jury trial, 12 jurors, selected from the general public, shall evaluate the evidence and make the factual findings of the case. The judge decides on what evidences or testimonies are admissible into the trial. The judge also explains the applicable law to the grand jury. If the jury has any question, they may ask the judge to elaborate. The jury cannot ask the prosecutor or the defense lawyer any question.
陪审团适用法官解释的法律于陪审团自己认定的事实，一般情况下全体一致认定原告是否构成犯罪。陪审团不能与被告辩护律师或者检察官问答，或者其他形式互动。陪审团不能不经法院批准，擅自试图获得其他证据、造访当事人、察看犯罪现场。
The jury applies the law and the fact as they find it to be and reach a verdict. A jury verdict usually has to be unanimous... The jury shall not obtain other evidence without the court’s approval, consult with either party, or visit the scene of the crime.
如果12名庭审陪审团成员没有达成一致，庭审宣告无效；但这不意味着被告无罪，而是由法庭重开审判，一般直到有一个12平民构成的陪审团对于被告的罪与非罪达成一致。
If the jury of twelve cannot reach an agreement, it results in a mistrial. This does not mean that the defendant is not guilty, as it only means there will be a retrial until 12 jurors arrive at a unanimous verdict of guilty or not guilty.
如果陪审团裁定被告无罪，庭审法官不得搁置无罪裁定，即使庭审法官认为无罪裁定法理上不可能成立。如果陪审团裁定被告有罪，而庭审法官认为有罪裁定法理上不可能成立，庭审法官可以搁置此有罪裁定；但是这时检察官可以上诉，上诉法院可以驳回庭审法官的无罪裁定。
If the jury finds the defendant not guilty, the judge may not set aside the verdict, even if he believes that the jury verdict cannot stand as a matter of law. If the jury finds the defendant guilty, but the judge believes that the guilty verdict cannot stand as a matter of law, then the judge can set aside the jury’s guilty verdict; but the prosecutor may appeal the judge’s holding.
5.上诉（Appeal）
被告被定罪后，可以在限定时间内提起上诉。
A defendant may appeal within a limited period of time after he is convicted.
6.量刑（Sentencing）
一般而言，定罪或者认罪后的90天量刑。
Generally speaking, sentencing occurs within 90 days of conviction or plea of guilty.
（编辑：李梦婕）