No. The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides several essential protections, including that no person can be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against themselves. When a person exercises this right against self-incrimination, it is colloquially referred to as “pleading the Fifth.” While you are not required to testify in your own defense, there could be situations in which your testimony may be particularly valuable. The risk of testifying on your own behalf is that the prosecutor will be able to ask questions during cross-examination, so you must consult with an experienced attorney to determine if it is genuinely in your best interest to testify in your own aggravated assault case.