2010 US Code
Title 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
TITLE 28 - APPENDIX
FEDERAL RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE
FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE
Rule 603 - Oath or Affirmation
View Metadata| Publication Title | United States Code, 2006 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE |
| Category | Bills and Statutes |
| Collection | United States Code |
| SuDoc Class Number | Y 1.2/5: |
| Contained Within | Title 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE TITLE 28 - APPENDIX FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE ARTICLE VI. WITNESSES Rule 603 - Oath or Affirmation |
| Contains | rule 603 |
| Date | 2010 |
| Laws in Effect as of Date | January 7, 2011 |
| Positive Law | Yes |
| Disposition | standard |
| Source Credit | Pub. L. 93-595, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1934; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987. |
| Statutes at Large Reference | 88 Stat. 1934 |
| Public Law Reference | Public Law 93-595 |
Rule 603. Oath or Affirmation
Before testifying, every witness shall be required to declare that the witness will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation administered in a form calculated to awaken the witness’ conscience and impress the witness’ mind with the duty to do so.
(Pub. L. 93–595, §1, Jan. 2, 1975, 88 Stat. 1934; Mar. 2, 1987, eff. Oct. 1, 1987.)
Notes of Advisory Committee on Proposed RulesThe rule is designed to afford the flexibility required in dealing with religious adults, atheists, conscientious objectors, mental defectives, and children. Affirmation is simply a solemn undertaking to tell the truth; no special verbal formula is required. As is true generally, affirmation is recognized by federal law. “Oath” includes affirmation, 1 U.S.C. §1; judges and clerks may administer oaths and affirmations, 28 U.S.C. §§459, 953; and affirmations are acceptable in lieu of oaths under Rule 43(d) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Perjury by a witness is a crime, 18 U.S.C. §1621.
Notes of Advisory Committee on Rules—1987 AmendmentThe amendments are technical. No substantive change is intended.
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