Can lawyers tell witnesses what to say?

Your lawyer is not only able to talk to them, he *should* talk to them. Every witness the state expects to call at trial should be interviewed in advance of trial in order to give your attorney the opportunity to know exactly what the witness is going to say.

Who swears in witnesses before testimony?

Witnesses taking the stand in court to testify must also swear that they will testify truthfully. Judges generally administer oaths to individuals taking the oath. For example, the U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice swears in the incoming President, and the presiding trial judge swears in testifying witnesses.

Do you have to swear to tell the truth in court?

Originally Answered: When being sworn in as a witness in a court of law, and you are asked if you swear to tell the truth, what happens if you say no? In Federal court in the US, a person can make a solemn affirmation instead of taking an oath. A person who will not either swear or affirm cannot testify.

What is said when swearing in a witness?

Oath: I swear that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God. I solemnly affirm that the evidence that I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

What happens if someone refuses to tell the truth in court?

If you refuse to testify under oath and/or under affirmation, then that can constitute both civil contempt of court and criminal contempt of court. This means you may: not be permitted to testify.

What do atheist swear on in court?

Rather than citing God as their witness, they instead “solemnly, sincerely and truly declare and affirm” that they will tell the truth. The non-religious option is no less legally binding, but may not be as effective as the religious oath in conveying trustworthiness to onlookers.