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美剧口语:“你有权保持沉默”的由来

分类: 影视英语 

美国好莱坞的警匪片、刑侦片或者破案美剧中经常会出现这样的片段:警察(或者FBI)在逮捕犯人时,向犯人口述一段文字,宣读嫌犯的权利。通常,在美国电影或者美剧中经常会听到的版本大致是:

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an lawyer. If you cannot afford an lawyer, one will be provided for you. Do you understand?

其实还有一个更冗长的版本:

You have the right to remain silent and refuse to answer questions. Do you understand?
Anything you do say may be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand?
You have the right to consult an attorney before speaking to the police and to have an attorney present during questioning now or in the future. Do you understand?
If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish. Do you understand?
If you decide to answer questions now without an attorney present you will still have the right to stop answering at any time until you talk to an attorney. Do you understand?
Knowing and understanding your rights as I have explained them to you, are you willing to answer my questions without an attorney present?

这么长,说完别说观众,罪犯也睡着啦~~~那么这段话有什么讲究来历呢?

这段宣告,称为「米兰达原则」(Miranda Warning),又称米兰达警语。这个警语的名字由来,要回溯到1966年的「米兰达案」。1963年,恩尼斯托·米兰达(Ernesto Miranda) 因为绑架、性侵罪名被捕。在没有告知宪法赋予他应有的权利的情况下,米兰达坦承犯行。在法庭审判时,检方也只以米兰达的自白作为证据。此案最后由美国联邦 最高法院认定米兰达并不了解他有「不证己罪」的权利,而且在接受审讯过程中遭受威胁恫吓,因此推翻了原有的判决。米兰达后来因为有新人证与事证出现,而重新受审,最后入狱7年。

不过,各国对应于米兰达原则的权利宣告也有不同的情形,例如在英国或韦尔斯地区的版本则是:

You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defense if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.

真实生活也许并不像电影中那样,但是了解米兰达原则还是非常重要,应得的权利,不能轻言放弃!

《梦游狂想曲》The Science of Sleep是一部极其可爱的小电影,男女主人公天马行空的想象和孩子气的态度都让人着迷。影片的片尾曲Golden the Pony Boy,听来清新温柔,意蕴悠长。

Golden the Pony Boy

by Kimiko Ono-Bernard

cotton and cardboard,
cellphane and paper,
thread, needle to employ
all felt and fabric,
birds fly and cats play
golden the pony boy
made out of cloth and standing so still,
just like a simple toy
gray as the sky on a day without sun
golden the pony boy
screwdrivers, rubber bands,
glue guns and pliers,
tools to create or destroy
patiently waiting,
un-calculating
golden the pony boy
flying wheels and colored reels spin into motion
bringing him lots of joy
trot, canter, gallop
over land and sea
golden the pony boy

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