When most people hear the word “perjury,” they likely think about the concept of witnesses lying on the witness stand in a televised procedural crime drama. While perjury can take place in criminal proceedings, there are other scenarios where this offense might be appropriate. Ultimately, you could be arrested and charged for false statements made on official government forms as well.
If you have been charged with perjury, it is crucial that you have a compassionate defense attorney to rely on. The right legal counsel could put you in a position to beat these charges and keep your record clean. Reach out to a Cranberry Township perjury lawyer today to learn more.
Pennsylvania defines perjury as intentionally making a false statement under oath in an official proceeding. To qualify as perjury, the statement must be both material and knowingly false. A material statement is one that could influence the outcome of a case, investigation, or hearing. If the falsehood is trivial or unrelated to the issue at hand, it typically does not meet the legal standard for perjury.
The law also requires proof that the person understood they were under oath and knowingly provided misinformation. This means accidental errors, confusion, or misunderstandings do not constitute perjury. Prosecutors must show that the defendant was aware the statement was false at the time it was made.
Pennsylvania law additionally treats inconsistent sworn statements as potential perjury. If a person makes two contradictory statements under oath in separate proceedings, and both cannot be true, prosecutors may bring charges without needing to prove which statement is false. The inconsistency itself can satisfy the legal requirement.
Perjury is classified as a felony in Pennsylvania because it strikes at the integrity of the justice system. Courts rely on truthful testimony to reach fair decisions, and any deliberate attempt to distort the truth is taken seriously. A conviction can result in fines, probation, or imprisonment, making it critical to seek legal counsel immediately when facing such allegations.
Perjury is generally treated as a third-degree felony under the law. If convicted, you could face as much as seven years in prison and a fine of no more than $15,000. These penalties are steep, but other consequences can also follow you after you are convicted of a felony. You could find it difficult to maintain employment, find adequate housing, or even maintain your immigration status in some cases.
It is important to remember that you will only face these penalties if you are ultimately found guilty. Our attorneys in Cranberry Township could help you build a winning defense strategy and beat these perjury charges, avoiding these consequences completely.
You have options for fighting back against allegations of perjury, and our attorneys in Cranberry Township are here to help you craft a strategy. Some common approaches in these cases include:
A lawyer at our firm can review all of the facts of your case, answer your questions, and help you determine the right strategy for your situation.
Perjury charges can make you feel hopeless, but the truth is that you are never guaranteed to be convicted. The right strategy could help you win at trial or even have your case thrown out by a judge.
Our attorneys are in a position to help you because each of them is a former prosecutor with extensive experience in criminal law. Reach out for a private consultation with our Cranberry Township perjury lawyer today.