Legal Definitions - corporal oath

A corporal oath is a solemn promise or affirmation made by an individual, typically in a legal or official context, that is accompanied by a specific physical act. This physical gesture, such as placing a hand on a sacred text (like a Bible or Quran) or raising one's hand, is performed to emphasize the gravity and binding nature of the promise, signifying the individual's personal commitment to truthfulness or to fulfilling a duty.

Here are some examples illustrating a corporal oath:

• Imagine a witness testifying in a criminal trial. Before they begin speaking, the court clerk asks them to place their left hand on a Bible and raise their right hand, then swear to "tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."

  This is a corporal oath because the witness performs the physical act of touching the Bible and raising their hand while making the solemn promise to be truthful. This physical engagement underscores the seriousness of their commitment to the court.

• Consider a newly appointed judge taking their oath of office. They might stand before a panel of dignitaries, place their hand on a copy of the national constitution, and recite the oath to uphold the law and administer justice fairly.

  This scenario demonstrates a corporal oath as the judge's physical act of touching the constitution while swearing in signifies their personal dedication and allegiance to the foundational legal document they are promising to serve.

• When an individual needs to provide a sworn statement for an insurance claim, they might visit a notary public. The notary could ask them to raise their right hand and affirm that the information contained in their written statement (an affidavit) is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge.

  This is an example of a corporal oath because the act of raising the hand is the physical gesture that accompanies the verbal affirmation of truth, making the written statement legally binding and emphasizing the individual's personal responsibility for its accuracy.