If the accused shall not avail himself or herself of his or her right to testify, or of the testimony of the wife or husband, on the trial in the case, it shall not be construed to affect the innocence or guilt of the accused, nor shall the same raise any presumption of guilt, nor be referred to by any attorney in the case, nor be considered by the court or jury before whom the trial takes place.
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 546.270
Failure to testify not to prejudice defendant
Applied in 1 court decision — leading case Ferguson v. Georgia (1961)
Most recently applied in Ferguson v. Georgia (March 1961)
Effective: 28 Aug 1939; (RSMo 1939 § 4082); Prior revisions: 1929 § 3693; 1919 § 4037; 1909 § 5243
Official source: Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Reproduced from public-domain Missouri statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.