
testimonial immunity
Testimonial immunity is a legal principle that protects witnesses from being compelled to testify against themselves in court, particularly in criminal cases. This means that if a witness has information that could incriminate them, they can refuse to provide that testimony without facing legal penalties. This protection encourages people to speak freely without fear of self-incrimination, promoting fairness in the legal process. However, it usually doesn't protect witnesses from testifying about others unless their own involvement in a crime is directly implicated.