California legal term
Oath in California Criminal Law
Current through 2026 California legislative session
In California criminal law, “Oath” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the California criminal code.
What does “Oath” mean in California criminal law?
“Oath” includes affirmation or declaration, and every mode of oral statement, under oath or affirmation, is embraced by the term “testify,” and every written one in the term “depose.” (5) “Signature” or “subscription” includes mark, when the person cannot write, their name being written near it, by a person who writes their own name as a witness, if, that when a signature is made by mark it shall, in order that the same may be acknowledged or serve as the signature to any sworn statement, be witnessed by two persons who shall subscribe their own names as witnesses thereto. (Cal. Penal Code § 7)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.