Tap any paragraph to write a margin note. Your notes collect in the Desk below the text and file under cases with @. The side-by-side margin rail opens on a larger screen.

Code · U.S. Code · Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · CHAPTER 223— WITNESSES AND EVIDENCE · § 3481

§ 3481. Competency of accused

170 words·~1 min read·/usc/title-18/section-3481

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

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. 645, 62 Stat. 833.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on section 632 of title 28, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Judicial Code and Judiciary, and section 1200, Art. 42(a), of Title 34, Navy. (Mar. 16, 1878, ch. 37, 20 Stat. 30).
Section was rewritten without change of substance.
Connections3 cite this · traces to 3
6 references not yet in our index
  • June 25, 1948, ch. 645
  • 62 Stat. 833
  • Mar. 16, 1878, ch. 37
  • 20 Stat. 30
  • Pub. L. 105–6, § 1
  • 111 Stat. 12
Citation graph
cites case law
§ 3481
Competency of accused
U.S.C.×2
Stat.×1
ActJune 25, 1948, ch. 645
Stat.62 Stat. 833
ActMar. 16, 1878, ch. 37
Stat.20 Stat. 30
Pub. L.Pub. L. 105–6, § 1
Cites 9 · showing 8Cited by 3 across 2 sources
★   the supreme law of the land   ★
Don't Tread on Me
E Pluribus Unum — out of many, one

"If you don't know your rights, you don't have any."

Marginalia · a citizen's law index
A research desk, not legal advice. Always read the cited source before relying on a summary.
Questions or an issue? support@self-law.org
disclaimerMarginalia is a research index, not a law firm. Nothing on this site is legal, tax, or financial advice and no attorney–client relationship is formed by using it. Statutes, regulations, and case law change; summaries, search results, AI output, and member posts may be incomplete, out of date, or wrong. Any interpretation drawn from material on this site should be validated by a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before you act on it.