Rule 226.Oath to Jury Panel

Last verified June 28, 2026

In one sentenceRule 226 requires the jury panel to be sworn, before voir dire begins, to give true answers to all questions about their qualifications as jurors.

Full Text of Rule 226

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Before the parties or their attorneys begin the examination of the jurors whose names have thus been listed, the jurors shall be sworn by the court or under its direction, as follows: "You, and each of you, do solemnly swear that you will true answers give to all questions propounded to you concerning your qualifications as a juror, so help you God."

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Plain-English Summary

Rule 226 sets the oath that opens jury selection. Before the parties or their attorneys begin questioning the listed jurors, the court swears the panel to give true answers to all questions about their qualifications to serve. The rule supplies the exact words of the oath.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are jurors sworn before voir dire in Texas?

Yes. Rule 226 requires the panel to take an oath to answer truthfully all questions about their qualifications as jurors before voir dire questioning begins.

What exact words make up the juror oath under Rule 226?

The rule gives the words directly: "You, and each of you, do solemnly swear that you will true answers give to all questions propounded to you concerning your qualifications as a juror, so help you God."

Who administers the oath to the jury panel in Texas?

The court itself, or someone acting under its direction. Rule 226 requires the swearing to happen before the parties or their attorneys begin questioning the jurors.

Source & verification. Rule text and the official Notes and Comments are reproduced verbatim from the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure (Tex. R. Civ. P. 226), published by the Texas Judicial Branch (txcourts.gov). Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas. The plain-English summary is original and draws on official sources. Last verified June 28, 2026. · Official source

Also known as: oath to jury paneljuror oathvoir dire oathTRCP 226