When giving testimony, which information must you include?

• A. name, full-time status, salary, officer, agency, location, venue
• B. educational background, age, marital status, phone number
• C. personal opinions, assumptions, rumors, hearsay
• D. prior arrests, criminal history, social security

Answer: (A)

When giving testimony, you must establish who you are and your official role so the court can trust the source and understand the authority behind your statements. This means stating your name and that you are a sworn, full-time officer, the agency you represent, and where you are located or the jurisdiction of the case, including the venue of the proceeding. This identification links your testimony to your official capacity and helps prevent impersonation or misattribution. Information about educational background, age, marital status, or a phone number isn’t required, and personal opinions, assumptions, rumors, or hearsay have no place in sworn testimony. Details like prior arrests or sensitive identifiers such as a social security number are not needed for routine testimony.