E003 | Summoned to Testify in Taiwan? Here’s When You Can Legally Say No

Summoned — But Not the Accused

You’ve been summoned — by the police, a prosecutor, or a court. You’re not the one accused, but the last thing you want is to get dragged in.

You wonder: "is there any way out?"

The good news: you may have the right to refuse.

Quick Check: Three Common Grounds for Refusal

These are the main categories — but whether they apply depends on your specific situation

1. Close Family Members

Certain family ties with a party in the case give you the right to refuse, such as:

• Spouse (including ex-spouse)
• Parents or children
• Some close relatives (e.g., uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces)
• Certain in-laws (such as parents-in-law)

2. Risk of Self-Incrimination

The law does not force you to incriminate yourself. If your testimony might expose you — or your legally defined family members— to criminal liability, you may refuse.

3. Confidential Professions

Some professions carry confidentiality obligations. If the information came through your professional role, you may be protected. Examples include doctors, therapists, lawyers, and accountants.

Raise It Before You Speak

Having the right to refuse doesn’t mean it happens automatically. People with the right to refuse can still choose to testify.

For that reason, if you intend to refuse, explicitly stating so is a must. Do it before answering anything — even what feels like casual conversation.

Once Said, It Stands

If you choose to testify, you are fully responsible for your words. Once spoken, your testimony stands as evidence.

It sometimes happens that people argue their testimony shouldn’t count — because they had the right to refuse in the first place. However, the right to refuse cannot erase words already spoken.