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Rule 1 of 7

Oath & affirmation

  1. The words

    An oath is a solemn spoken pledge that a statement is true. An affirmation is the same act for a person who declines to swear, made under penalty of perjury.

    The actual law, so it can’t scare you later.

  2. Actually means

    Same act, two flavors. "Do you swear?" or "Do you affirm?" Both carry identical legal weight, and lying under either is perjury.

    Plain English. No legalese survives this step.

  3. Live example

    A witness objects to swearing on religious grounds. You say: "Do you affirm, under the penalties of perjury, that this is true?" Done. Equal force.

    A scene you can picture.

  4. Killer question

    The exam tests the three impossible oaths: you cannot administer one over the phone, to yourself, or to a corporation or partnership. Only to a human being.

    Exactly how the exam asks it.

Acknowledgment →