§ Art. 505. Spousal witness privilege

Codes > Louisiana Code of Evidence > Chapter 5. > Art. 505.

Art. 505. Spousal witness privilege

In a criminal case or in commitment or interdiction proceedings, a witness spouse has a privilege not to testify against the other spouse. This privilege terminates upon the annulment of the marriage, legal separation, or divorce of the spouses. This privilege does not apply in a criminal case in which one spouse is charged with a crime against the person of the other spouse or a crime against the person of a child including but not limited to the violation of a preliminary or permanent injunction or protective order and violations of R.S. 14:79.

NOTE--EFFECTIVE DATE AND APPLICATION OF ACTS 1992, NO. 376

<For provisions relating to the effective date and application of this article as enacted by Acts 1992, No. 376, see italic note preceding C.E. art. 501.>