{"data":{"id":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-3151","jurisdiction":"us-pa","citation":"42 Pa.C.S. § 3151","heading":"Oath of office.","body":"Each judicial officer shall, before entering on the duties of his office, take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation before a person authorized to administer oaths:\n\"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this Commonwealth and that I will discharge the duties of my office with fidelity.\"\nAny person refusing to take the oath or affirmation shall forfeit his office. A judicial officer shall be sworn upon his appointment or election, and after each retention election, and thereafter need not be sworn in any matter referred to him.","path":["Title 42 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE","PART III SELECTION, RETENTION AND REMOVAL OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS","CHAPTER 31 SELECTION AND RETENTION OF JUDICIAL OFFICERS","SUBCHAPTER D TENURE AND COMPENSATION"],"source_url":"https://www.palegis.us/statutes/consolidated/view-statute?txtType=HTM\u0026ttl=42\u0026div=0\u0026chpt=31\u0026sctn=51\u0026subsctn=0","current_through":"2026-08-03 (Statute Update stamp, 42 Pa.C.S.)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-02T16:33:14Z","sha256":"c5be5ae180e8913f8065a6b074663dc2da17fb5cda1808e3279706ef48deeb14","source_id":"us-pa","stale":false,"prev":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-3135","next":"us-pa/42-pa.c.s.-3152"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}