作证特免权——对拒绝作证权的重新解读

Privilege of Exemption From Testifying --The new interpretation of witness'legitimate refusal right to testify

两大法系对于作证特免权体现了不同的立法思想,理论上也存在不同的观点。应当以公民的作证 义务为基础揭示作证特免权的性质,其本质在于公民作证义务的免除,而非单纯的权利或义务。法律强制公民作 证是基于该法定义务的正当性,而作证特免权是基于特殊原因所规定的法定例外。两大法系关于作证特免权的 共性正是在于法律免除特定公民的作证义务。

Two Legal Systems present different legislative viewpoints to the privilege of exemption from testifying as well as in the theory. It is the civil duty of testifying that can reveal the nature of the privilege. The nature is exemption from the civil duty of testifying. This compulsory duty is justified so that citizens are obliged to testify. And the privilege is exception of law by special reasons. It is prescribed uniformly in Two Legal Systems that some persons are exempt from testifying.