Oath or Affirmation

Before testifying, every witness shall be required to declare that the witness will testify truthfully, by oath or affirmation administered in a form calculated to awaken the witness’ con- science and impress the witness’ mind with the duty to do so. COMMENTARY The rule that every witness must declare that he or she will testify truthfully by oath or affirmation before testifying is well established. State v. Dudicoff, 109 Conn. 711, 721, 145 A. 655 (1929); Curtiss v. Strong, 4 Day (Conn.) 51, 55, 56 (1809); see Practice Book § 5-3. Section 6-2 recognizes, in accord- ance with Connecticut law, that a witness may declare that he or she will testify truthfully by either swearing an oath or affirming that he or she will testify truthfully. General Statutes § 1-23. The standard forms of oaths and affirmations for witnesses are set forth in General Statutes § 1-25. Section 6-2 recognizes that there will be exceptional circumstances in which the court may need to deviate from the standard forms set forth in § 1- 25. See General Statutes § 1-22. In such circumstances, the oath or affirmation shall conform to the general standards set forth in Section 6-2.