Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 540.080 (2026)

Oath of grand jurors

✓ current as of May 2026
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  540.080.  Oath of grand jurors. — Grand jurors may be sworn in the following form:

Do you solemnly swear you will diligently inquire and true presentment make, according to your charge, of all offenses against the laws of the state committed or triable in this county of which you have or can obtain legal evidence; the counsel of your state, your fellows and your own, you shall truly keep secret?  You further swear that you will present no one for any hatred, malice or ill will; neither will you leave unpresented any one for love, fear, favor or affection, or for any reward or the hope or promise thereof, but that you will present things truly as they come to your knowledge, to the best of your understanding, according to the laws of this state, so help you God.

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(RSMo 1939 § 3905, A.L. 1989 S.B. 127, et al.)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 3516; 1919 § 3861; 1909 § 5069

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1959–2020 · leading case: Doe v. McCulloch, 542 S.W.3d 354 (Mo. Ct. App. 2017).
Doe v. McCulloch, 542 S.W.3d 354 (Mo. Ct. App. 2017). · cites it 13× “" More specifically, amongst other things, Doe alleges that "the evidence was presented in a way that implied Brown was the wrongdoer and not Wilson[.”
Doe v. Bell, 367 F. Supp. 3d 966 (E.D. Mo. 2019). · cites it 11× “The statutes cited by Juror are Missouri Revised Statutes sections 540.080, 540.120, 540.310, and 540.”
Grand Juror Doe v. Robert McCulloch, 835 F.3d 785 (8th Cir. 2016). “The oath asks, in relevant part: Do you solemnly swear you will diligently inquire and true presentment make, according to your charge, of all offenses against the laws of the state committed or triable in this county of which you have or can obtain legal evidence; the counsel…”
State v. Eyman, 828 S.W.2d 883 (Mo. Ct. App. 1992). · cites it 2× “1988) (citing § 540.080, RSMo 1986). See also §§ 540.105; 110; .”
Doe v. McCulloch, 106 F. Supp. 3d 1007 (E.D. Mo. 2015). · cites it 3× “That oath is found in section 540.080 R.S.Mo. which states: Grand jurors may be sworn in the following form: “Do you solemnly swear you will diligently inquire and true presentment make, according to your charge, of all offenses against the laws of the state committed or triable…”
Palmentere v. Campbell, 205 F. Supp. 261 (W.D. Mo. 1962). · cites it 3× “” The oath to be administered to state grand jurors, Section 540.080 RSMo 1949, V.A.M.S., provides: “You do solemnly swear you will diligently inquire and true presentment make, according to your charge, of all offenses against the laws of the state committed or triable in this…”
Grand Juror Doe v. Wesley Bell, 969 F.3d 883 (8th Cir. 2020). “” Mo. Rev. Stat. § 540.080 . Missouri law both protects grand jurors in their oath and prohibits them from violating it.”
State ex inf. Dalton v. Moody, 325 S.W.2d 21 (Mo. 1959). “The oath of grand jurors as prescribed by § 540.080 (all statutory refer- *24 enees are to RSMo 1949 and V.”
State ex rel. John Roe, Relator v. Hon. Steven H. Goldman, 471 S.W.3d 814 (Mo. Ct. App. 2015). “320; see also sections 540.080, 540.110. The original rule of secrecy was adopted to protect and promote the public welfare.”
CBS Inc. (KMOX-TV) v. Campbell, 645 S.W.2d 30 (Mo. Ct. App. 1982). “We find there are no claims of confidential sources or information involved in producing the video and audio tapes for the grand jury in the present case.”
State of Missouri ex rel. John Roe, Relator v. Hon. Steven H. Goldman (Mo. Ct. App. 2015). “320; see also sections 540.080, 540.110. The original rule of secrecy was adopted to protect and promote the public welfare.”
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