§ 8-54. Defendant in criminal action competent but not compellable to testify. - North Carolina Statutes

§8‑54.  Defendant in criminal action competent but not compellable totestify.

In the trial of allindictments, complaints, or other proceedings against persons charged with thecommission of crimes, offenses or misdemeanors, the person so charged is, at hisown request, but not otherwise, a competent witness, and his failure to makesuch request shall not create any presumption against him. But every suchperson examined as a witness shall be subject to cross‑ examination asother witnesses. Except as above provided, nothing in this section shall renderany person, who in any criminal proceeding is charged with the commission of acriminal offense, competent or compellable to give evidence against himself,nor render any person compellable to answer any question tending to criminatehimself. (1856‑ 7, c. 23; 1866, c. 43, s. 3; 1868‑9,c. 209, s. 4; 1881, c. 89, s. 3; c. 110, ss. 2, 3; Code ss. 1353, 1354; Rev.,ss. 1634, 1635; C.S., s. 1799.)