1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 46
  3. CHAPTER 16
  4. Part 2
  5. 46-16-212 Competency of spouses

Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 46. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 16. TRIAL

Part 2. Rules of Evidence for Criminal Cases

Competency Of Spouses

46-16-212. Competency of spouses. (1) Neither spouse may testify to the communications or conversations between spouses that occur during their marriage unless:

(a) consent of the defendant-spouse is obtained;

(b) the defendant-spouse has been charged with an act of criminal violence against the other; or

(c) the defendant-spouse has been charged with abuse, abandonment, or neglect of the other spouse or either spouse's children.

(2) Except as provided in subsection (1), a spouse is a competent witness for or against the other spouse.

History: En. Sec. 2441, Pen. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 9483, Rev. C. 1907; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 111, L. 1915; re-en. Sec. 12176, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pen. C. Sec. 1322; re-en. Sec. 12176, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 94-8802, R.C.M. 1947; redes. 95-3011 by Sec. 29, Ch. 513, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 50, Ch. 184, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 95-3011; amd. Sec. 197, Ch. 800, L. 1991.