Section 225. Administering Oath to Grand Jury and Foreman

(A) After the selection of the members of the investigating grand jury, the court shall administer the oath to the grand jury and then separately to the foreman.

(B) The court shall administer the oath to the investigating grand jury in substantially the following form:

‘‘You, as grand jurors, do solemnly swear that your will make diligent inquiry with regard to all matters brought before you as well as such things as may come to your knowledge in the course of your duties; that you will keep secret all that transpires in the jury room, except as authorized by law; that you will not present any person for hatred, envy, or malice, or refuse to present any person for love, fear, favor, or any reward or hope thereof; and that you will present all things truly to the court as they come to your knowledge and understanding.’’

(C) The court shall administer the oath to the foreman in substantially the following form:

‘‘You, as foreman, do solemnly swear that you will make diligent inquiry with regard to all matters as shall be given you in charge; that you will keep secret all that transpires in the jury room, except as authorized by law; that you will not present any person for hatred, envy, or malice, or refuse to present any person for love, fear, favor, or any reward or hope thereof; and that you will present all things truly to the court as they come to your knowledge and understanding.’’

It is intended that all grand jurors, including the alternate grand jurors, will be sworn at this time.

Official Note

Rule 257 adopted June 26, 1978, effective January 9, 1979; amended October 22, 1981, effective January 1, 1982; renumbered Rule 225 and amended March 1, 2000, effective April 1, 2001.

Committee Explanatory Reports:

Final Report explaining the March 1, 2000 reorganization and renumbering of the rules published with the Court’s Order at 30 Pa.B. 1477 (March 18, 2000).