Rule 603 - Oath or AffirmationBefore testifying, a witness must give an oath or affirmation to testify truthfully. It must be in a form designed to impress that duty on the witness's conscience.
EXPLANATORY NOTE Rule 603 was amended, effective 3/1/1990;3/1/2014. Rule 603 was amended, effective 3/1/1990. The amendments are technical in nature and no substantive change is intended. Rule 603 was amended, effective3/1/2014, in response to the12/1/2011, revision of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The language and organization of the rule were changed to make the rule more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. There is no intent to change any result in any ruling on evidence admissibility. SOURCES: Joint Procedure Committee Minutes of April 26-27, 2012, page 22; March 24-25, 1988, page 12;12/3/1987, page 15;4/8/1976, page 27. Fed.R.Ev. 603; Rule 603, SBAND proposal. N.D.R.Ct. 6.10 (Courtroom Oaths).