When the jury has been accepted by all parties, the jurors shall be sworn to try the case in a just and impartial manner, to the best of their judgment, and to render a verdict according to the law and the evidence. When the jury has retired, the jurors shall select a foreman to preside over them and sign the verdict which they may render.
Art. 1768.Swearing of Jurors; Selection of Foreman
Book II. Ordinary Proceedings · Title V. Trial · Chapter 7. Jury Trial · Amendment history unavailable · Last verified July 30, 2026
In one sentenceArticle 1768 has the jury sworn to try the case justly and impartially once accepted by all parties, and directs the jurors to select a foreman upon retiring to preside over deliberations and sign whatever verdict they render.
Full Text of Art. 1768
Plain-English Summary
Article 1768 marks the point where jury selection ends and the jury as a body takes shape. Once every party has accepted the panel, the jurors are sworn — not to answer questions truthfully, which is the Article 1762 oath given before examination, but to try the case in a just and impartial manner, to the best of their judgment, and to render a verdict according to the law and the evidence.
The article's second sentence looks ahead to deliberations. When the jury retires, the jurors themselves choose one of their own to serve as foreman, who presides over the group's discussion and signs whatever verdict the jury reaches. Louisiana leaves that choice to the jurors rather than having the court appoint a foreman in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are jurors sworn to try the case?
Once the jury has been accepted by all parties, distinct from the earlier oath prospective jurors take before voir dire examination under Article 1762.
What does the jury's oath under Article 1768 require?
To try the case justly and impartially, to the best of their judgment, and to render a verdict according to the law and the evidence.
Who selects the jury foreman in a Louisiana civil trial?
The jurors themselves, once they retire to deliberate; the court does not appoint the foreman in advance.
What does the foreman do?
Presides over the jury's deliberations and signs the verdict the jury renders.
Source & verification. Article text is reproduced verbatim from
the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure (legis.la.gov). Enacted by the Louisiana Legislature.
Last verified July 30, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as: jury oath LouisianaArticle 1768 Louisiana Code of Civil Procedurejury foreman Louisianaswearing jury Louisiana civil trial