How is Perjury Proven?
Perjury is the crime of making a false statement, whether sworn or unsworn, in regard to a material issue of a case that directly affects a case’s proceedings. Perjury is a class 4 felony, which can result in incarceration of up to 3.75 years for first-time offenders.
While perjury is a serious crime, it can be difficult to prove. To be convicted of perjury, it must be shown in court that the offender deliberately made a false statement that they knew was false in order to impact a judge, jury, or similar and affect a case’s material issue. This prevents people being convicted of this crime due to misunderstandings or memory lapses.
In order to prove perjury, the prosecution may present documentation or evidence showing how the statement was false and should have been known to be false by the offender. This could be paystubs to prove a false statement regarding income, or texts sent by the offender discussing false testimony or methods of misleading the court.
On the other hand, defenses to perjury can include showing that the offender believed their statement to be true or that the false statement made was not regarding a material issue that would reasonably impact the case or any of its proceedings.
RIDEOUT LAW GROUP
With offices in Lake Havasu City and Scottsdale, our firm serves the entire state of Arizona, with a particular focus on criminal defense, family law, and juvenile cases.
Our goal is for the best outcome for your criminal case, which can include:
- charges that are reduced or dropped.
- top experts reviewing your case.
- aggressive negotiations with the prosecution for plea bargains.
- fines or probation in lieu of jail time.
At Rideout Law Group, our attorneys are able to expertly examine the evidence in your case to provide a strong strategy for argument that leads to an outcome that is most favorable to you. We have experience in all types of criminal cases for both adults and juveniles, with positive outcomes both in plea negotiations as well as jury trial settings.
Call us today for a free consultation at 480-584-3328.