英美两国刑事法官的证据调查权评析

人们长期认为,英美法系的法官在法庭上一般是消极、被动地听审,却不能积极调查证据。事实上,英美两国的立法与审判实践却表明:法官可以询问证人、传唤证人出庭,或进行"庭外勘验"。尤其在没有陪审团参与的审判中,法官能更加主动地调查证据。这说明,英美两国的刑事法官并非完全消极、被动,特别是当庭审主体变为一元的职业法官时,他因对案件事实最终负责,而更加具有调查证据的天然冲动。由此可见,中国刑事法官在庭审中无需亦不能塑造成纯粹的仲裁者角色,而应保留适当的且受到法律合理规制的证据调查权。

Judges' Power to Examine Evidence in Criminal Courts in the USA and the GB

It is long believed that judges in common law countries are passive rather than positive in court while hearing evidence.But in fact,legislation and judicial practice in the USA and the GB show that judges in criminal court may question and call witnesses,or "weigh evidence out of court." Especially in a judge trial,the judge is more positive in examining evidence and seeking for merits of the case.Thus,we can see that Chinese judges in criminal court need not behave as a pure arbitrator but rather one with moderate and appropriately controlled power to examine evidence.