| 释义 |
compellable witness
A witness who may lawfully be required to give evidence and who may be punished for contempt of court for refusal. In principle every person who is competent to be a witness is compellable. In criminal proceedings, the spouse or civil partner of the accused is generally competent and compellable as a witness for the defence. However, the spouse or civil partner of the accused is not normally compellable as a witness for the prosecution. See competence. |