Opinion ID: 1511651
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Oath Requirement

Text: Evid. R. 18 provides in pertinent part: A witness before testifying shall be required to take an oath or make an affirmation or declaration to tell the truth under the penalty provided by the law.    Given the unequivocal language of the rule, it is clear that all prospective witnesses  including infants  must be sworn or affirmed prior to the giving of testimony. See, e.g., State v. Gambutti, 36 N.J. Super. 219, 223-224 (App. Div. 1955); State v. Walton, 72 N.J. Super. 527, 535 (Law Div. 1962); Williamson v. Carroll, 16 N.J.L. 217, 218 (Sup. Ct. 1837). The Appellate Division, in both Zamorsky and the present case, held that the oath required by Evid. R. 18 is the oath in its traditional form, and that a trial court cannot deviate from this form merely because a prospective witness is not an adult. We disagree.