On Wed, 24 May 1995, BCCLS wrote:
> Does anyone know where, when swearing and oath, the expression "Raise your
> right hand" originates. The word "right" is important. I would appreciate
> any help in this matter. I have looked in Holdsworth's, A History of
> English Law and a few other texts. Thank You.
Not that I have a source to back this up, but as I understand it, the
penalty for perjury was to have the right hand amputated. So if someone
is going to swear to tell the truth and you don't have a right hand
sticking out of your sleeve, some explaination is required.
At least this is what I always tell the paralegal students. It is going
to be embarassing if I was wrong.
BJGrey
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