Section 15-12-67. Appointment or election of foreman; oath of foreman and grand jurors

   (a) The judge of the superior court may appoint the foreman of the grand jury or may direct the grand jury to elect its own foreman. The foreman of the grand jury may administer the oath prescribed by law to all witnesses required to testify before the grand jury and may also examine such witnesses.

(b) The following oath shall be administered to the foreperson and to each member of the grand jury:
      "You, as foreperson (or member) of the grand jury for the County of 
           , shall diligently inquire and true presentment make of all such 
   matters and things as shall be given you in the court's charge or shall 
   come to your knowledge touching the present service; and you shall keep the 
   deliberations of the grand jury secret unless called upon to give evidence 
   thereof in some court of law in this state. You shall present no one from 
   envy, hatred, or malice, nor shall you leave anyone unpresented from fear, 
   favor, affection, reward, or the hope thereof, but you shall present all 
   things truly and as they come to your knowledge. So help you God."

Laws 1812, Cobb's 1851 Digest, p. 551; Ga. L. 1857, p. 109, § 1; Code 1863, §§ 3827, 3829; Code 1868, §§ 3847, 3850; Code 1873, §§ 3915, 3918; Code 1882, §§ 3915, 3918; Penal Code 1895, §§ 825, 831; Penal Code 1910, §§ 829, 835; Code 1933, §§ 59-208, 59-210; Ga. L. 1994, p. 874, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 1292, § 5.