The law that says a wife can't be compelled to testify against her husband, is the opposite also true?

Spousal privileged applies to either side. Is that why you have so many wives? What are the rules when polygamy is concerned? O_o

It is a privilege and has to be invoked by the one to whom the privilege belongs.  It does not belong to a criminal defendant; it belongs to his/her spouse.  Legal spouse.......not a partner or girlfriend or  any other shacked-up living situation.   It is not a legal requirement.  A spouse may or may not provide testimony against his or her spouse.  He or she may invoke the privilege or may waive the privilege and offer testimony.  Once the privilege is waived and testimony starts, he/she cannot stop and invoke the privilege.    There is also a Spousal Communications Privilege which protects communications between spouses while married.  That privilege survives divorce. This post was edited by Thriftymaid at May 27, 2017 1:56 PM MDT