Georgia § 24-5-506 - Privilege against self-incrimination; testimony of accused in criminal case.

§ 24-5-506. Privilege against self-incrimination; testimony of accused in criminal case.

No person who is charged in any criminal proceeding with the commission of any criminal offense shall be compellable to give evidence for or against himself or herself. If an accused in a criminal proceeding wishes to testify and announces in open court his or her intention to do so, the accused may so testify. If an accused testifies, he or she shall be sworn as any other witness and, except as provided in Code Sections 24-6-608 and 24-6-609 , may be examined and cross-examined as any other witness. The failure of an accused to testify shall create no presumption against the accused, and no comment shall be made because of such failure. (Code 1981, § 24-5-506 , enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 2/HB 24.) Cross references. - Prohibition against compelled self-incrimination, Ga. Const. 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Para. XVI. Testimony by defendant in pretrial hearing, § 17-7-28 . Law reviews. - For article on the effect of a conviction that is based on a nolo contendere plea, see 13 Ga. L. Rev. 723 (1979). For article, "Court Ordered Surgery to Retrieve Evidence in Georgia in Light of the Supreme Court Decision in Winston v. Lee," see 37 Mercer L. Rev. 1005 (1986). For annual survey on criminal law, see 71 Mercer L. Rev. 69 (2019). For note, "Defendant as a Witness in a Criminal Proceeding," see 3 Mercer L. Rev. 335 (1952). For note on the Georgia right against self-incrimination, see 15 Ga. L. Rev. 1104 (1981). For comment criticizing Lovett v. State, 108 Ga. App. 478 , 133 S.E.2d 595 (1963), as to right of accused to assistance of counsel in making an unsworn statement, see 15 Mercer L. Rev. 512 (1964).