Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes

42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 5911 (2026)

Competency of witnesses generally.

✓ current as of May 2026

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CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS

§ 5911. Competency of witnesses generally.

Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all persons shall be fully competent witnesses in any criminal proceeding before any tribunal.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases, 1988–2020 · leading case: Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Olivo, J., 127 A.3d 769 (Pa. 2015).

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Commonwealth, Aplt. v. Olivo, J., 127 A.3d 769 (Pa. 2015). · cites it 2× “512 (Expert qualifications); and 42 Pa.C.S. §§ 5911 (Competency of witnesses generally); 5912 (Effects of prior convictions); 5913 (Spouses as witnesses against each other (criminal)); 5917 (Notes of testimony at former trial); 5924 (Spouses as witnesses against each other…”

Commonwealth v. Trudell, 538 A.2d 53 (Pa. 1988). · cites it 2× “Id; see also 42 Pa.Cons.Stat.Ann. § 5911 (Purdon 1982) ("Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all persons shall be fully competent witnesses in any criminal proceeding before any tribunal").”

Com. v. Seagren, D. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2020). · cites it 2× “See 42 Pa.C.S. § 5911. Judge Spataro then explained the parameters where a court may find a witness incompetent to testify because of a "mental condition or immaturity" where the person: is, or was, at any relevant time, incapable of perceiving accurately; is unable to express…”

Com. v. Wolf, P. (Pa. Super. Ct. 2019). “601(a) provides that “[e]very person is competent to be a witness except as otherwise provided by statute or in these rules.” With particular reference to criminal proceedings, “all persons” are considered “fully competent witnesses in any criminal proceeding before any…”

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