Art. 204. The testimony will be given orally, the witness not being allowed to bring it in writing.
Single paragraph. The witness will not be forbidden, however, a brief consultation of notes.
Prohibition of reading the testimony
Justification: The testimony must be spontaneous, thus allowing the parties and the judge to assess the witness’s reactions. The written statement would remove all spontaneity from the statement.
Exceptions to oral testimony: The President and Vice-President of the Republic, the Presidents of the Federal Senate, the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Supreme Court may testify in writing. This is what is provided for in paragraph 1 of article 221 : The President and Vice-President of the Republic, the presidents of the Federal Senate, the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Supreme Court may opt for giving written testimony, in which case the Questions formulated by the parties and accepted by the judge will be forwarded to them by official letter. The mute and the deaf-mute also provide written testimony ( article 192, items II and III ).
