Oath and Preliminary Instructions

(a) Oath of Jurors. The court shall, on the record of each trial, give the jurors the following oath or remind the jurors that they are still under the following oath: You, and each of you, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that you will well and truly try all issues and execute all writs of inquiry that may be submitted to you, or left to your decision by the court, or under its direction, during the present term, and true verdicts give according to the evidence. So help you God. Additionally, in each capital case, the jurors shall be sworn to “well and truly try the issue between the state and the defendant, and a true verdict give according to the evidence and the law.” (b) Oath of Bailiffs. In capital cases, bailiffs may be specially sworn by the court, or under its direction, to attend on such jury and perform such duties as the court may prescribe for them. (c) Preliminary Instructions. Immediately after the jury is sworn, the court, on the record, may instruct the jury concerning its duties, its conduct, the order of proceedings, and the elementary legal principles that will govern the proceeding. Sections (a) and (b) are based upon Mississippi Code Sections 13-5-71 Comment and 13-5-73.