if you are the defendent in a criminal case do your children have to testify against

[wtdr]

W
hat is the name of your state? mississippi
if you are the defendant in a criminal case do your children have to testify against you or can they refuse?

 

[Ohiogal]

How old are the children? What kind of crime? And yes they may very well have to testify against you.

 

[gawm]

If they are subpoenaed to testify, then they are obligated under law to testify. They could and most likely would be held in contempt of court. Only spouses have the option not to testify if they wish not to do so.

 

[seniorjudge]

if you are the defendant in a criminal case do your children have to testify against you or can they refuse?


If they are old enough to testify but they refuse, then they could go to jail for contempt of court.

 

[tranquility]

While the reality of the situation may make it hard to get the testimony, there is no legal reason why not.