In trial of all persons charged with the commission of offenses against the United States and in all proceedings in courts martial and courts of inquiry in any State, District, Possession or Territory, the person charged shall, at his own request, be a competent witness. His failure to make such request shall not create any presumption against him.
June 25, 1948, ch. 64562 Stat. 833(, .)
Historical and Revision Notes
section 632 of title 28Mar. 16, 1878, ch. 3720 Stat. 30Based on , U.S.C., 1940 ed., Judicial Code and Judiciary, and section 1200, Art. 42(a), of Title 34, Navy. (, ).
Section was rewritten without change of substance.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 1997 Amendment
Pub. L. 105–6, § 1111 Stat. 12
section 3510 of this titlesection 3593 of this titlesection 3510 of this title“This Act [enacting , amending , and enacting provisions set out as a note under ] may be cited as the ‘Victim Rights Clarification Act of 1997’.”
, , , provided that: