Rule 180.Refusal to Testify
Last verified June 28, 2026
In one sentenceRule 180 says a witness who refuses to give evidence may be jailed, without bail, until the witness agrees to testify.
Full Text of Rule 180
Any witness refusing to give evidence may be committed to jail, there to remain without bail until such witness shall consent to give evidence.
End
Plain-English Summary
Rule 180 is short and blunt. A witness who refuses to give evidence may be committed to jail and held there, without bail, until the witness consents to testify. The confinement is a lever to compel testimony, and it lasts only as long as the refusal does.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a witness be jailed for refusing to testify in Texas?
Yes. Under Rule 180 a witness who refuses to give evidence may be committed to jail without bail until the witness agrees to testify.
How long does a witness stay in jail under Rule 180?
Rule 180 sets no fixed term. The witness remains committed until agreeing to give evidence, so release turns on the witness's own choice to testify, not a set number of days.
Is bail available to a witness jailed for refusing to testify in Texas?
No. Rule 180 commits the witness without bail. The confinement continues until the witness consents to give evidence.
Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 180), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov).
Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: refusal to testifycontemptjailed witnesswitness won't testifyTRCP 180