Supreme Court Rules - Rule 8 - Rules Governing the Missouri Bar and the Judiciary - Admission to the Bar: Oath or Affirmation

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Supreme Court Rules

		Section/Rule:	8.15
Subject:	Rule 8 - Rules Governing the Missouri Bar and the Judiciary - Admission to the Bar	Publication / Adopted Date:	October 15, 1995
Topic:	Oath or Affirmation	Revised / Effective Date:	October 1, 2003

8.15. Oath or Affirmation

(a) Within 90 days after the date of the letter of licensure, an applicant shall take the oath of admission. Failure to take the oath in the prescribed period may result in revocation of the letter of licensure. In the event of revocation, the applicant will then be required to show cause for withdrawal of the revocation of the letter of licensure.

(b) Every person, before being admitted to practice law in this state, shall take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation (substituting, in instances of affirmation, the word "affirm" for the word "swear" in the first line of such text, and further substituting the words "Under the pains and penalties of perjury" in lieu of the words "So help me God" in the last line thereof):

I do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Missouri;

That I will maintain the respect due courts of justice, judicial officers and members of my profession and will at all times conduct myself with dignity becoming of an officer of the court in which I appear;

That I will never seek to mislead the judge or jury by any artifice or false statement of fact or law;

That I will at all times conduct myself in accordance with the Rules of Professional Conduct; and,

That I will practice law to the best of my knowledge and ability and with consideration for the defenseless and oppressed.

So help me God.

(Former Rule 8.11. Adopted Feb. 1, 1972, eff. Sept. 1, 1972. Amended June 27, 1980, eff. Aug. 1, 1980; April 2, 1986, eff. June 1, 1986; Oct. 16, 1995, eff. March 1, 1996; Sept. 3, 2003, eff. Oct. 1, 2003.)