Ohio Code 2945.28 – Form of oath to jury
(A) In criminal cases jurors and the jury shall take the following oath to be administered by the trial court or the clerk of the court of common pleas, and the jurors shall respond to the oath “I do swear” or “I do affirm”: “Do you swear or affirm that you will diligently inquire into and carefully deliberate all matters between the State of Ohio and the defendant (giving the defendant’s name)? Do you swear or affirm you will do this to the best of your skill and understanding, without bias or prejudice? So help you God.”
Terms Used In Ohio Code 2945.28
- Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Juror: A person who is on the jury.
- Oath: includes affirmation, and "swear" includes affirm. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
A juror shall be allowed to make affirmation and the words “this you do as you shall answer under the pains and penalties of perjury” shall be substituted for the words, “So help you God.”
(B) If, on or after the effective date of this amendment, a court that impanels a jury in a criminal case uses the oath that was in effect prior to the effective date of this amendment instead of the oath set forth in division (A) of this section, the court’s use of the former oath does not invalidate or affect the validity of the impanelment of the jury or any action taken by the jury.