Art. 29.08 MOTION SWORN TO

If you want to ask a court to delay or postpone a criminal case, you can't just file a request and leave it at that. Someone who actually knows the facts behind the reason for the delay has to sign the motion under oath. This means the person is legally swearing that what they're saying is true.

This rule exists to stop people from making up excuses or exaggerating reasons just to buy more time. By requiring a sworn statement, the court makes sure someone is held accountable for the truth of the request. If the facts turn out to be false, the person who swore to them could face serious consequences, including being charged with lying under oath.

In practice, this means if you or your lawyer asks for more time before a trial or hearing, someone with direct knowledge of why the delay is needed, whether that's you, a witness, or another involved party, must confirm those facts in a signed, sworn statement. Simply saying "I need more time" without this sworn backing won't be enough for the court to grant the request.