Who may administer the oath to the six persons chosen for a municipal court jury?

• A. Judges alone may administer the oath
• B. Municipal court clerks may administer the oath to the six persons chosen for a jury
• C. An attorney must administer the oath
• D. The police may administer

Answer: (B)

Jurors are sworn by an authorized court official before they begin service, to commit to judging impartially and according to the law and evidence.

In municipal court, the official who administers the oath to the six jurors is the municipal court clerk. This role is the standard practice because clerks handle the administrative duties of the court, including administering oaths to participants in proceedings. The clerk’s involvement ensures the oath is given promptly and consistently as the jurors are sworn in.

An oath can be some form of affirmation administered by a judge, but for this specific setting the clerk is the designated person responsible for swearing in the jurors. The police do not administer juror oaths, and an attorney is not the appropriate person to perform this duty in court proceedings.