Page "Adversarial system" Paragraph 4

As an accused is not compelled to give evidence in a criminal adversarial proceeding ; he may not be questioned by prosecutor or judge unless he chooses to do so.

However, should he decide to testify, he is subject to cross-examination and could be found guilty of perjury.

As the election to maintain an accused person's right to silence prevents any examination or cross-examination of that person's position, it follows that the decision of counsel as to what evidence will be called is a crucial tactic in any case in the adversarial system and hence it might be said that it is a lawyer's manipulation of the truth.

Certainly, it requires the skills of counsel on both sides to be fairly equally pitted and subjected to an impartial judge.