Perjury

“The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” is a statement we’ve all heard on popular crimes shows, but what does it really mean? If you engage in deliberate misrepresentation when you swear under oath, in an affidavit or in a sworn statement, you could be looking at a perjury charge. Giving intentionally false testimony is considered perjury. Essentially, perjury is lying under oath. If you’re facing a perjury charge, on top of any other potential criminal charges, you need to get with a criminal defense attorney about your case immediately. Depending upon the circumstances of your individual case, you could be facing misdemeanor or felony perjury charges, so the sooner you get with your attorney, the better.

Deliberate Misrepresentation

Perjury is a charge associated with the deliberate misrepresentation of information. This means that you intentionally or willfully misrepresented or lied in a sworn statement. You should never face a perjury charge or conviction for mistakes made during a statement. It’s important to be very clear and consistent and speak with your lawyer before giving any sworn testimony, so you’re not tripped up when it’s time to give information. In order to convict, the prosecution will have to prove that you deliberately and intentionally mislead or lied to authorities. Issues with memories or mistakes that aren’t intentional should never be held against you as perjury.

False Testimony

False testimony can lead to perjury charges. Since not all cases are willful or intentional, this is only one element involved in cases involving perjury. Sometimes, through confusion or miscommunication, it’s possible to give false testimony, accidentally. If you’re being accused of giving false testimony, you need to get in touch with your lawyer immediately to get to the bottom of the situation.

Willfully and Intentionally

The second element of any perjury charge is intent. You shouldn’t be convicted of perjury if you accidentally gave false testimony. Perjury occurs when somebody intentionally and willfully misleads in their sworn statements or testimony. If you didn’t mean to produce false testimony or you simply made a mistake with the facts, bring this information to your lawyer swiftly.

What About Inconsistent or Mistaken Testimony?

Perjury charges can happen from mistaken and inconsistent testimony. Just because your testimony has been somewhat inconsistent, that doesn’t mean that you should be facing perjury charges or convictions. Cases can take months and years to unfold in court, so it’s important to bring up any concerns or potential inconsistencies with your lawyer prior to giving any sworn statements or testimony.