In a trial, credence is given only to those who are sworn.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) Only sworn testimony is competent evidence in a trial — unsworn statements carry no weight and cannot be the basis of judicial findings.

Where this applies

• A witness's casual hallway remark about what he saw cannot be used as evidence at trial because he was never placed under oath.
• A judge instructs the jury to disregard a bystander's unsworn statement shouted from the gallery, because only sworn testimony counts.
• A party tries to introduce a written statement from a friend who never testified under oath, and the court excludes it because unsworn declarations carry no weight in a trial.