Cedar decks generally last from 15 to 20 years, but they can deteriorate faster, particularly on the ground-floor and in shaded areas that take longer to dry out. The average material cost for cedar is $5 to $15 per square foot, for an estimated cost of $6,400 to $24,000 to replace a 16-by-20-foot deck.
You also cannot be compelled to give evidence against a co-accused where you are both being tried in the same proceedings. However, if the prosecution refuses to offer any evidence against you and you are acquitted, then you can be compelled to testify against a co-accused.
Plaintiffs can choose not to testify in their own behalf -- as witnesses in the plaintiff's case. That would be strange, but it is not illegal. At trial, the plaintiff must go first and the plaintiff would need to prove up the case -- all elements of it -- by other admissible evidence if the plaintiff declines to testify.