No person can be compelled in a criminal action to be witness against himself; nor can a person charged with a public offense be subjected before conviction to any more restraint than is necessary for his detention to answer the charge, and in no event shall he be tried before a jury while in chains or shackles.

R.L. 1910, § 5549; Amended by Laws 1953, SB 136, p. 97, § 1, emerg. eff. June 8, 1953.