Lawbasic
Which statement best distinguishes competency from compellability?
Answer
Competency is the legal ability to testify; compellability is the obligation to attend or testify.
Explanation
**Competency** concerns fitness to give evidence, including the ability to understand questions and provide rational answers. **Compellability** concerns whether the law can require a competent witness to attend or testify. The other options reverse the concepts, wrongly restrict them by case type, or treat them as synonyms. **Key takeaway:** A person may be competent without being compellable. **Glossary:** Competency: legal fitness to testify. Compellability: legal obligation to testify.
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