Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 215 ILCS 5/153

  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Testify: Answer questions in court.
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
     No person shall be excused from testifying or from producing any books, papers, contracts, agreements or documents at the trial or hearing of any person or company charged with violating any of the provisions of section 151 on the ground that such testimony or evidence may tend to incriminate himself but no person shall be prosecuted for any act concerning which he shall be compelled so to testify or produce evidence, documentary or otherwise, and no testimony so given or evidence produced shall be received against him upon any criminal investigation or proceeding except for perjury committed in so testifying.