Lincoln, NE asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Nebraska

Q: Question about constitutional rights in criminal cases, that have more then one defendant

If offered a plea deal agreement to not testify on another criminal case on either the defendant or the states behalf, but can’t take the deal until the other defendants case is over, is it against constitutional rights of other defendant if they can’t call in that witness

1 Lawyer Answer
Julie Fowler
Julie Fowler
Answered
  • Omaha, NE
  • Licensed in Nebraska

A: The defendant can still call the witness as part of that defendant's constitutional rights to call witnesses. However, even if the witness is called, if the witness is a potential co-defendant, they may not have to actually say anything if the 5th amendment right against self-incrimination applies ("plead the 5th").

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