§ 19.2-197 Foreman of grand jury; oaths of jurors and witnesses
The court shall select a foreman from among the persons summoned who attend who shall be sworn as follows: “Do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will diligently inquire into and carefully consider all such matters that come to your attention concerning this present service, and do you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will indict no person through prejudice or ill-will, nor leave any unindicted through fear or favor, but in all your presentments you will present the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, (so help you God)?” The other grand jurors shall afterwards be sworn as follows: “The oath that your foreman has taken on his part, do you and each of you solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will observe and keep the same on your part, (so help you God)?” Any witness testifying before the grand jury may be sworn by the foreman.
History
The record of this law’s original creation isn’t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1960, chapter 366; in 1975, chapter 495; in 2024, chapter 713.
Code 1950, § 19.1-152; 1960, c. 366; 1975, c. 495; 2024, c. 713.