Mich. Comp. Laws » Michigan Compiled Laws / Chapter 600 / Act 236 of 1961
Michigan Compiled Laws

Mich. Comp. Laws § 600.2154 (2026)

Witness; obligation to answer through revealing civil liability; self-incrimination.

✓ current as of July 2026
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REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961


Act 236 of 1961


600.2154 Witness; obligation to answer through revealing civil liability; self-incrimination.

Sec. 2154.

    Any competent witness in a cause shall not be excused from answering a question relevant to the matter in issue, on the ground merely that the answer to such question may establish, or tend to establish, that such witness owes a debt, or is otherwise subject to a civil suit; but this provision shall not be construed to require a witness to give any answer which will have a tendency to accuse himself of any crime or misdemeanor, or to expose him to any penalty or forfeiture, nor in any respect to vary or alter any other rule respecting the examination of witnesses.

History: 1961, Act 236, Eff. Jan. 1, 1963

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 6 cases, 1967–2012 · leading case: People v. Bragg, 824 N.W.2d 170 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012).
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People v. Bragg, 824 N.W.2d 170 (Mich. Ct. App. 2012). “It is flanked by statutes excusing a witness from giving an answer that may incriminate him criminally, MCL 600.2154, and describing the circumstances under which a patient waives a doctor-patient privilege, MCL 600.”
In Re Colacasides, 150 N.W.2d 1 (Mich. 1967). · cites it 2× “" CLS 1961, § 600.2154 (Stat Ann 1962 Rev § 27A.2154).”
State Bar Grievance Adm'r v. Baun, 232 N.W.2d 621 (Mich. 1975). · cites it 2× “) MCLA 600.2154; MSA 27A.2154. My colleagues say that respondent was obliged to submit himself to "cross-examination" on non-incriminating matters "including his name, place of practice, date of admission to the bar and other non-incriminating matters".”
People v. Herbert Smith, 191 N.W.2d 392 (Mich. Ct. App. 1971). · cites it 2× “Const 1963, art 1, § 17 provides in part: “No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself * # * MCLA § 600.2154 (Stat Ann 1962 Eev § 27A.”
People v. Ferency, 351 N.W.2d 225 (Mich. Ct. App. 1984). “These principles have been codified in MCL 600.2154; MSA 27A.2154: "Any competent witness in a cause shall not be excused from answering a question relevant to the matter in issue, on the ground merely that the answer to such question may establish, or tend to establish, that…”
Larrabee v. Sachs, 506 N.W.2d 2 (Mich. Ct. App. 1993). “…by responding to questions in a deposition, the trial court properly ordered defendant to submit to discovery. MCL 600.2154; MSA 27A.2154. Affirmed.”
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