Is a sworn statement valid if it is not signed by witness and person conducting oath does not sign?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 16:41:36 -0400

A joke sworn statement was emailed by mistake.

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Oct 26 at 2016 4:45 PM

SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 16:45:17 -0400

How could it be? I very much doubt it.

Response by SSG Shavonde Chase made Oct 26 at 2016 5:29 PM

SSG Shavonde Chase — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 17:29:49 -0400

As always, seek IG and JAG. Those would be your best resources for legal questions. Let us know what you find out.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 26 at 2016 6:03 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 18:03:40 -0400

While not a lawyer, I did play one on TV. If it is not signed, it is not a sworn statement?

FYI, I was joking, I never played one on TV. Seek legal advice from experts in the law.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 26 at 2016 8:30 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Wed, 26 Oct 2016 20:30:32 -0400

This one has me stumped. Back in my day we did statements for training accident investigations but they were done on yellow legal pad paper and signed by ourselves at least. Not a sworn statement but valid as a witness statement for a investigation. You can do the same and attach to a counseling statement I thought and it be used to punish someone but there you would have two signatures (still not sworn). So beats me.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Oct 27 at 2016 12:29 PM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 12:29:11 -0400

I would contact your local JAG, Area Defense Counsel (ADC), or a local attorney for that answer. I would say, under certain circumstances, any written (as in personally wrote by hand using pen and paper, not electronic) MAY be considered an official statement.

As a Public Notary for the State of TN, generally a statement isn't considered "official" unless signed and witnessed in a notary's presence and then have the notary affix their seal and signature. Statements taken by law enforcement during the course of questioning in regards to suspected criminal activity fall under different rules. That will definitely require consultation with an attorney.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2016 1:48 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Oct 2016 13:48:45 -0400

Now I have been flagged and was told I might get a article 15.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2020 11:00 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 23:00:48 -0400

I am currently going through the same situation, I would like to know how your article turned out and what information did you receive from legal.