13-5-45 - Foreman to be appointed and all to be sworn.
§ 13-5-45. Foreman to be appointed and all to be sworn.
The court shall appoint one of the grand jurors to be foreman of the grand jury, to whom the following oath shall be administered in open court, in the presence of the rest of the grand jurors, to wit:
"You, as foreman of this grand inquest, shall diligently inquire into, and true presentment make, of all such matters and things as shall be given you in charge, or otherwise come to your knowledge, touching the present service. The counsel of the state, your fellows, and your own you will keep secret. You shall not present any person through malice, hatred or ill will, nor shall you leave any person unpresented through fear, favor or affection, or for any reward, hope or promise thereof, but in all your presentments, you shall present the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, to the best of your skill and understanding. So help you God."
And the following oath shall be administered to the other jurors, to wit:
"The same oath that your foreman has now taken before you on his part, you, and each of you, shall well and truly observe, and keep on your respective parts. So help you God."
Sources: Codes, Hutchinson's 1848, ch. 61, art. 1 (128); 1857, ch. 61, art. 130; 1871, § 731; 1880, § 1666; 1892, § 2372; 1906, § 2701; Hemingway's 1917, § 2194; 1930, § 2047; 1942, § 1780.