Perjury

Perjury is a criminal act that occurs when a person lies or makes statements that are not truthful while under oath. For example, if a person is asked to testify in a criminal proceeding and they lie during their testimony, they can be charged with perjury if it is discovered that they have lied.

Definition

Perjury is considered a crime against justice, as it can undermine the integrity of the legal system and lead to miscarriages of justice. In most jurisdictions, for a person to be considered guilty of perjury, it must be proven that they knowingly made a false statement that was material to the case at hand. That is, the false statement could potentially affect the outcome of the case. It is not considered perjury, for example, to lie about one's age, unless age is a key factor in proving the case.

Legal aspects

Perjury law varies by country. In some jurisdictions, for example, it is necessary to prove not only that the statement was false, but also that the person knew it was false at the time they made it, and that they made it with the intention of misleading the court. In other jurisdictions, it is only necessary to prove that the statement was false, regardless of whether the person knew it was false or intended to mislead the court.

Penalties

The penalties for perjury also vary by jurisdiction. In some countries, perjury is punishable by a fine, while in others it can lead to a prison sentence. In some cases, a person found guilty of perjury can be barred from holding public office or practicing law.

Notable cases

There have been many notable cases of perjury throughout history, some of which have led to significant legal and political scandals. For example, in the United States, former President Bill Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice related to his testimony about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.

See also

• Subornation of perjury
• False statement
• Obstruction of justice

Perjury Resources
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