§ 40.320 Rule 603 Oath or affirmation
40.320. Rule 603. Oath or affirmation
(1) 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 conscience of the witness and impress the mind of the witness with the duty to do so.
(2) An oath may be administered as follows: The person who swears holds up one hand while the person administering the oath asks: “Under penalty of perjury, do you solemnly swear that the evidence you shall give in the issue (or matter) now pending between _______ and _______ shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” If the oath is administered to any other than a witness, the same form and manner may be used. The person swearing must answer in an affirmative manner.
(3) An affirmation may be administered as follows: The person who affirms holds up one hand while the person administering the affirmation asks: “Under penalty of perjury, do you promise that the evidence you shall give in the issue (or matter) now pending between _______ and _______ shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” If the affirmation is administered to any other than a witness, the same form and manner may be used. The person affirming must answer in an affirmative manner.