---
title: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-52. Oath to be administered to witnesses.
collection: code
id: 17-8-52
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 17-8-52 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-52
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-52.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-52/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t17-(v15)-2020-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=8c04ccfe_0#page=792
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-51.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/code/17-8-53.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: CRIMINAL PROCEDURE / TRIAL / CONDUCT OF PROCEEDINGS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 17-8-52. Oath to be administered to witnesses.

(a) The following oath shall be administered to witnesses in criminal cases:

‘‘Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the evidence you shall give to the court and jury in the matter now pending before the court shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you God.’’

(b) Any oath given that substantially complies with the language in this Code section shall subject the witness to the provisions of Code Section 16-10-70.

## History

Laws 1833, Cobb’s 1851 Digest, p. 836; Code 1863, § 4537; Code 1868, § 4557; Code 1873, § 4651; Code 1882, § 4651; Penal Code 1895, § 980; Penal Code 1910, § 1006; Code 1933, § 38-1702; Ga. L. 1997, p. 1499, § 2.

## Cross References

Perjury and related offenses, § 16-10-70 et seq.