论美国大陪审团制度的历史发展与现实意义——由弗格森枪击案谈起

The Historical Development and Realistic Significanceof U. S. Grand Jury System—A Discussion on the Ferguson Shooting

美国大陪审团有据可查的历史可以追溯到1635年的北美殖民地时期。当时,大陪审团在刑事诉讼和地方公共事务方面享有广泛权力,被称为立法、行政与司法之外的'第四部门'。在北美殖民逐步迈入革命的过程中,大陪审团的权力达到巅峰,成为限制英国王权的重要工具。美国建国之后,大陪审团制度被写入联邦宪法,成为刑事诉讼的重要参与者。实践证明,作为美国民众参与司法的重要方式,大陪审团仍然是限制检察官公诉权、挑战政府强权和抵抗汹涌民意绑架司法的重要制度设计。

The institution of grand jury in U.S.dates back to colonial period in 1635.During that era,the grand jury,which was called as the Fourth Branch,was endowed with extensive power in criminal procedure and local public affairs.In the process to the North America War,the power of grand jury reached its peak.After the foundation of United States,the grand jury sytem is written in the Fifth Amendment of Federal Constitution and becomes a significantly important component of criminal justice system.The pratices have already proved that as a approach for the public to pariticipate in judicial process,the grand jury is still a very important mechanism to restrict the prosecutorial power,challenge the government and resist the unfair influence from the turbulent public opinion.