The oath or affirmation shall be administered deliberately and with due solemnity, as the witness takes the stand. The official court reporter or court recording monitor shall note by whom it was administered.
Section 5-3.Administering Oath
Current through August 12, 2025 (2026 Practice Book edition) · Last verified July 9, 2026
In one sentenceThis rule requires the oath or affirmation to be given to each witness deliberately and with due solemnity as the witness takes the stand, and the court reporter must note who administered it.
Full Text of Section 5-3
Amendment History
(P.B. 1978-1997, Sec. 286.) (Amended June 26, 2020, to take effect Jan. 1, 2021.)
Plain-English Summary
Section 5-3 sets how a witness's oath or affirmation must be given: deliberately and with due solemnity, at the moment the witness takes the stand. The official court reporter or court recording monitor must note in the record who administered the oath.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the oath administered to a witness in Connecticut trials?
As the witness takes the stand, and it must be administered deliberately and with due solemnity.
Who records who gave the oath?
The official court reporter or court recording monitor notes by whom the oath or affirmation was administered.
Does the rule allow an affirmation instead of an oath?
Yes. Section 5-3 refers to “the oath or affirmation,” treating them the same way for administration purposes.
Source & verification. The section text is reproduced verbatim from the
official Connecticut Practice Book (Conn. Practice Book § 5-3). Prescribed by the Judges of the Superior Court of Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. Section 51-14). The plain-English summary is original and written by us. Last verified July 9, 2026. ·
Official source
Also known as: administering oath to witness CTswearing in a witness rulewitness affirmation Connecticut trialwho administers the oath in court