Can I refuse to testify in general sessions court?

First of all, a subpoena is a direct court order that requires you to appear. If you ignore it, you can be held in contempt pf court and a warrant for failure to appear can be issued for your arrest. Also, you can also face fines and/or jail time. Some victims attempt to  invoke their Fifth Amendment rights (i.e. the right against self-incrimination) in order to not testify. However, this right doesn't apply simply because a witness doesn't want to testify. This right only applies if their testimony would cause them to incriminate themselves in either the crime in question or another crime. Further, as with a witness who fails to show up to court, a witness who refuses to testify can also be held in contempt and fined and incarcerated. Furthermore, in domestic violence cases, many spouse's think that they can invoke "spousal privilege". This is the right of one spouse to refuse to give testimony against the other spouse. However, in DV cases most states have amended their spousal privilege statutes to make an exception since victims many times are intimidated by their abuser not to testify. Accordingly, in these cases, one spouse can be made to testify against the other. Bottom line, when you get to court, tell the truth since lying under oath is a crime.

First of all, a subpoena is a direct court order that requires you to appear. If you ignore it, you can be held in contempt pf court and a warrant for failure to appear can be issued for your arrest. Also, you can also face fines and/or jail time. Some victims attempt to  invoke their Fifth Amendment rights (i.e. the right against self-incrimination) in order to not testify. However, this right doesn't apply simply because a witness doesn't want to testify. This right only applies if their testimony would cause them to incriminate themselves in either the crime in question or another crime. Further, as with a witness who fails to show up to court, a witness who refuses to testify can also be held in contempt and fined and incarcerated. Furthermore, in domestic violence cases, many spouse's think that they can invoke "spousal privilege". This is the right of one spouse to refuse to give testimony against the other spouse. However, in DV cases most states have amended their spousal privilege statutes to make an exception since victims many times are intimidated by their abuser not to testify. Accordingly, in these cases, one spouse can be made to testify against the other. Bottom line, when you get to court, tell the truth since lying under oath is a crime.