What is the term for a written statement made under oath for legal purposes?

The term for a written statement made under oath for legal purposes is an affidavit. An affidavit is a formal document that contains a person’s sworn statement of facts, and it is typically used in legal proceedings to provide evidence. The signing of the affidavit indicates that the individual has declared that the information contained within it is true, which can be crucial for court cases, legal agreements, and other legal matters.

Affidavits are often used in various legal contexts, such as supporting a motion or establishing facts within a case. They provide a way to ensure that the statements made are credible, as they carry the weight of being sworn under oath. This is essential for maintaining integrity in legal proceedings.

While depositions also involve sworn testimony, they are typically given orally rather than in a written format. A subpoena is a legal order to appear in court or produce evidence, and testimony refers to the evidence presented orally by witnesses in a trial. Each of these terms serves distinct functions in the legal system, but the identified term specifically highlights the written nature and the sworn element of an affidavit.