§ Sec. 24-9-20. Person not compellable to testify for or against self; testimony of defendant in criminal case

Codes > Georgia Code of Evidence > Title 24. > Chapter 9. : Article 2. > Part 1. : Sec. 24-9-20.

§ 24-9-20. Person not compellable to testify for or against self; testimony of defendant in criminal case

(a) No person who is charged in any criminal proceeding with the commission of any indictable offense or any offense punishable on summary conviction shall be compellable to give evidence for or against himself.

(b) If a defendant in a criminal case wishes to testify and announces in open court his or her intention to do so, the defendant may so testify in his or her own behalf. If a defendant testifies, he or she shall be sworn as any other witness and may be examined and cross-examined as any other witness. The failure of a defendant to testify shall create no presumption against him or her, and no comment shall be made because of such failure.