Rule 603. Oath or Affirmation to Testify Truthfully

Before testifying, a witness must give an oath or affirmation to testify truthfully. The oath or affirmation must be in a form designed to impress that duty on the witness's conscience.

Committee Notes

Maine Restyling Note [November 2014] Maine Rule 603 and Federal Rule 603 are substantively identical, and therefore the Advisory Committee recommends adoption of the language of the restyled Federal Rule.

Federal Restyling Committee Note The language of Rule 603 has been amended as part of the restyling of the Evidence Rules to make them more easily understood and to make style and terminology consistent throughout the rules. These changes are intended to be stylistic only. There is no intent to change any result in any ruling on evidence admissibility.

Advisers' Note to former M.R. Evid. 603 (February 2, 1976) This rule is in accord with Maine law 16 M.R.S.A. § 55 (no incompetency on account of religious belief; atheist may testify under solemn affirmation and is subject to pains and penalties of perjury); 1 M.R.S.A. § 72(l) (a person conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath may affirm).