What would be the legal ramifications for a person forced to show up for court, who refused to either swear on the bible due to religious differences, or if one simply refused to tell the truth, and said they did not swear to tell the truth? Just curious, Thanks!
2007-05-28 20:22:06 · 8 answers · asked by dragondancer 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Swearing on a Bible? They don't even offer it anymore in our courts (WA). As far as not wanting to tell the truth, one has three options:
1) "Pleading the 5th", which means that a person has a right to not incriminate themselves as a witness in their own or someone else's trial, according to the constitution's 5th amendment.
2) Not swearing to tell the truth amounts to basically being a hostile witness. A hostile witness can be compelled to testify at the judge's discretion, and refusal amounts to contempt of court, which is punishable at the judge's discretion as well.
3) Swearing to tell the truth and telling a lie instead would be perjury, and if proven, is also punishable at the judge's discretion.
Good luck - hope it's only an academic interest :)
2007-05-28 20:43:50 · answer #1 · answered by clhseattle 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For religious differences, they don't have to swear on a bible. They can swear on a Torah, a Koran, or whatever their religious ideals may be. If they don't believe in God, I believe they can "swear" to something else.
IF it's because they simply refuse to speak the truth, then the Judge can order a contempt of court, and the person goes to jail until they agree to testify.
2007-05-28 20:26:03 · answer #2 · answered by AprilRocksIt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some locations, there are people who will refuse to swear an oath for any purpose for religious grounds. For that reason, they are permitted to "affirm" that they will tell the truth.
Of course, if somebody refuses to say that they will tell the truth, they are worthless as a witness. And, also, a person has a right not to incriminate himself.
2007-05-28 23:13:06 · answer #3 · answered by Mark 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I haven't seen anyone swear on a bible in a very long time. People who are sworn in raise their right hand and swear to tell the truth. There is no bible involved. Other than an oath of office, let me know when you ever see someone swearing on a bible!
2007-05-28 20:37:11 · answer #4 · answered by cantcu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you're precise that it quite is weird and wonderful that there could desire to be a subculture of swearing on a e book that condemns human beings for swearing oaths interior Christianity. My dad, a Mormon, could in no way swear on the Bible, while he grow to be in courtroom (as a policeman), yet mainstream Christianity looks to pass over this hypocrisy. of direction the belief is quite previous, yet interior the favourite international it quite is okay to make an confirmation. If it is real, why take care of the swearing on the holy books in any respect? certainly, why difficulty with the confirmation? in basic terms tell those that in the event that they're chanced directly to have lied, issues won't bypass nicely for them.
2016-12-30 05:03:44 · answer #5 · answered by radona 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
like true blue said contempt and purjury not to mention the fact that the judge is the last person in the courtroom you want to piss off since they will be handling the sentencing most of the time.
2007-05-28 20:27:30 · answer #6 · answered by JOHN D 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're held in contempt of court. If they don't tell the truth, they can be arrested for perjury, a felony.
2007-05-28 20:24:53 · answer #7 · answered by trueblue3167 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Lol.... im curiostoo but no idea ....
2007-05-28 21:02:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋