The courts
affidavit
A written statement sworn to be true, used where live testimony is not required: warrant applications, motions, provisional ballot challenges.
In full
An affidavit carries the same exposure to perjury as testimony in court. A declaration under penalty of perjury does the same work without a notary. Because affidavits are made without cross-examination, courts weigh them accordingly, and a case that turns on contested affidavits usually ends up in a hearing.
Also written as: declaration under penalty of perjury
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.