State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Wisconsin > 906 > 906.03

906.03

906.03 Oath or affirmation.

906.03(1)

(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 witness's conscience and impress the witness's mind with the witness's duty to do so.

906.03(2)

(2) The oath may be administered substantially in the following form: Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you shall give in this matter shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God.

906.03(3)

(3) Every person who shall declare that the person has conscientious scruples against taking the oath, or swearing in the usual form, shall make a solemn declaration or affirmation, which may be in the following form: Do you solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm that the testimony you shall give in this matter shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth; and this you do under the pains and penalties of perjury.

906.03(4)

(4) The assent to the oath or affirmation by the person making it may be manifested by the uplifted hand.

906.03 - ANNOT.

History: Sup. Ct. Order, 59 Wis. 2d R1, R161 (1973); 1991 a. 32.

906.03 - ANNOT.

A witness who is a young child need not be formally sworn to meet the oath or affirmation requirement. State v. Hanson, 149 Wis. 2d 474, 439 N.W.2d 133 (1989).