Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

minor being summons

Why is it that my 14 year old daughter being summons to testify on behalf of the prosecutor and defense. Do I have to let her testify?


Asked on 11/09/05, 8:15 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

J. Whitfield Larrabee J. Whitfield Larrabee

Re: minor being summons

Your daughter may have a right not to testify under the 5th Amendment to the United States Constitution. If there is any way that her testimony could possibly result in her incriminating herself or being accused of a crime, she would have a right to refuse to testify. You as her guardian might have a right to invoke that privilege for her. Whether she can invoke this privilege depends on the facts of her particular case. Both the defense and the prosecution have the power to summons witnesses. Perhaps they both think her testimony will be helpful to their cases.

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Answered on 11/10/05, 11:12 am


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