Criminal Defense Lawyers

Perjury Punishment

Perjury: What It Is and Why It Matters

So, what do you do if you get hit with one of these things? Perjury charges are no joke – they can seriously mess up your life. But, take a deep breath. We’re here to walk you through it.Perjury is lying under oath. Simple as that. If you’re asked a question in court, at a deposition, or anywhere you’ve sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth – and you lie – that’s perjury.Now, it’s not just a little white lie we‘re talking about here. The lie has to be about something material, something that actually matters to the case. So if you fib about what you had for breakfast that morning, no biggie. But if you lie about seeing the defendant pull the trigger? That’s perjury, my friend.

Why Perjury Is a Big Deal

“But it‘s just one little lie, who cares?” I can hear you thinking it. Here‘s the thing: our entire justice system is built on the idea that people are telling the truth when they testify. Judges and juries have to be able to trust the evidence they’re hearing.Think about it this way. You‘re on a jury, trying to decide if someone is guilty or innocent of a crime. All you have to go on is the testimony of the people on the stand. If they’re lying through their teeth, how can you possibly reach a fair verdict?That’s why perjury is considered a crime against the justice system itself. When you lie under oath, you’re undermining the whole process. It’s a big deal.

The Punishments for Perjury

Okay, so now you know what perjury is and why it matters. Next question: what happens if you get convicted of it? The penalties vary, but one thing’s for sure – they aren’t pretty.

Federal Perjury Charges

At the federal level, perjury is a felony. That‘s right, a felony. You could be looking at up to 5 years in prison if convicted. 3 Not to mention fines that can reach up into the six figures. 2Now, that‘s the maximum penalty. In reality, most first-time offenders with no criminal history are looking at somewhere between 0-6 months behind bars. 2 But still, not exactly a vacation.The judge will look at factors like:

• How serious was the lie? Did it really impact the case?
• What was your motivation for lying?
• Do you have any prior convictions?

Basically, the more your lie messed things up and the more of a pattern of dishonest behavior you have, the harsher your sentence is likely to be.

State Perjury Charges

If you’re dealing with state charges instead of federal, the punishments can vary pretty widely depending on where you live. Some general guidelines:

• Most states treat perjury as a felony, but a handful treat it as a “high misdemeanor.” 4
• Felony perjury can carry jail time from 1-20 years in some states. 4
• Fines tend to range from $1,000 on the low end to $20,000+ on the higher end. 4

For example, in New York perjury can be a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the circumstances. If it’s a misdemeanor, you‘re looking at up to 1 year in jail. Felony perjury can get you 1-4 years in prison. 3In California, perjury is what‘s called a “wobbler” – meaning it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. Misdemeanor perjury carries up to 1 year in county jail. Felony perjury is 16 months, 2 years or 3 years in state prison. 4The moral of the story? Perjury charges are serious business no matter where you are. The punishments may vary, but you‘re risking real jail time if convicted.

Defenses Against Perjury Charges

Okay, but what if you didn’t actually lie? What if it was just a misunderstanding or you misspoke? Don‘t worry, there are some solid defenses you can use to fight perjury charges:Lack of Intent
The key thing prosecutors have to prove for perjury is that you willfully and intentionally lied. If you simply misremembered something or stated something you thought was true at the time, you can’t be convicted. 5Immaterial Statement
Remember how we said the lie has to be about something material to the case? Well, if your statement wasn’t actually relevant or important to the issues being decided, it can’t legally be considered perjury. 5Recantation
Did you realize you messed up and immediately correct the record? If you recant your false statement during the same proceeding, you‘re in the clear. The law gives you a chance to fix your mistake. 5Faulty Oath or Lack of Oath
For a perjury charge to stick, you have to have been properly sworn in or under oath when you made the false statement. If there was some mistake or issue with the oath, that could get you off the hook. 1The bottom line is, the burden of proof is on the prosecution. If they can‘t show beyond a reasonable doubt that you intentionally lied about something material after properly taking an oath, you can’t be convicted of perjury.Of course, actually proving one of those defenses is easier said than done. You’ll need an experienced criminal defense attorney to gather evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and really fight for you in court.

Why You Need a Lawyer If Charged with Perjury

Look, perjury is one of those charges that’s deceptively simple on its face but incredibly complex once you start digging into it. There are so many nuances and specific legal standards that have to be met.Not just any lawyer can handle a perjury case well. You need someone who has specific experience with these types of charges and a deep understanding of the relevant laws and courtroom procedures.Here are a few reasons why having the right lawyer is absolutely crucial if you‘re facing perjury charges:

Understanding the Burden of Proof
As we mentioned, the prosecution has to prove very specific things beyond a reasonable doubt to get a perjury conviction. An inexperienced lawyer might not understand exactly what that burden entails and how to poke holes in the prosecution‘s case.

Navigating Complex Rules of Evidence
A lot of perjury cases hinge on testimony from the original proceeding where the alleged lie took place. There are a ton of procedural rules about what evidence is admissible and how it can be used. You need a lawyer who knows this stuff inside and out.

Plea Bargaining Experience
Sometimes the best move is to try to negotiate a plea bargain rather than going to trial. But you have to know what a fair deal looks like for perjury charges. An inexperienced lawyer could advise you to take a bad plea and tank your case.

Sentencing Advocacy
Even if you are convicted of perjury, having an effective lawyer advocating for you at sentencing can make a huge difference. They know how to highlight mitigating factors and push for the lowest possible sentence.At the end of the day, the stakes are just too high to try to handle perjury charges on your own. One little mistake and your entire life could be turned upside down. It’s worth investing in the best legal representation you can get.

What to Look for in a Perjury Lawyer

So let’s say you’re convinced – you need to hire a lawyer if you’re facing perjury charges. But what should you be looking for? How do you find the right attorney?Here are some key things to prioritize in your search:

Specific Perjury Experience
You don’t want a general practitioner who has never handled one of these cases before. Look for someone who has taken on perjury charges many times and knows the ins and outs of this area of law.

Attention to Detail
As we‘ve covered, the little details are everything in perjury cases. You need a lawyer who will go through transcripts and evidence with a fine-toothed comb, leaving no stone unturned in building your defense.

Excellent Communicator
These cases can get extremely nuanced and complex. You need an attorney who can break everything down for you clearly and keep you in the loop every step of the way.

Aggressive Litigator
Perjury charges are serious – you want someone who will fight tooth and nail for you in the courtroom. Look for a lawyer with a reputation as a fierce advocate and talented litigator.

Reasonable Fees
Of course, you also have to be mindful of costs. Perjury cases can get expensive with all the investigation and prep work involved. Look for someone with fair, transparent pricing.Don’t just take a lawyer‘s word for it that they check all these boxes. Do your research by reading reviews, checking out their website and credentials, and asking for references from past perjury clients.The bottom line: hiring the right perjury lawyer could be the difference between walking away a free person or spending years behind bars. It‘s worth taking the time to find the perfect fit.

What to Do If You Get Charged with Perjury

Okay, let‘s get down to brass tacks here. What should your very first steps be if you get slapped with perjury charges?

1. Don’t Panic, But Take It Very Seriously
   Yes, perjury is a huge deal that can have life-altering consequences. But freaking out and sticking your head in the sand won’t help. Take a deep breath and start taking action right away.
2. Exercise Your Right to Remain Silent
   The moment you realize you’re being charged with perjury, stop talking. Don’t try to explain yourself or talk your way out of it. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Politely assert your right to remain silent until you have a lawyer present.
3. Start Looking for a Perjury Lawyer Immediately
   Time is of the essence, so don’t wait to start vetting and hiring a lawyer who specializes in perjury cases. The sooner they can start working on your defense, the better.
4. Follow Your Lawyer’s Advice to the Letter
   Once you have legal representation, they’ll advise you on all the next steps – what to say, what not to say, how to handle questioning or court appearances, etc. It’s absolutely crucial that you listen to them. This is not the time to try to get cute or handle things yourself.
5. Be 100% Honest with Your Lawyer
   This one is important. Your lawyer needs to know everything, good or bad, in order to build the strongest possible defense for you. Holding back details or lying to your own attorney is a terrible idea that will only undermine your case.
6. Be Patient and Let the Process Play Out
   Fighting perjury charges takes time. There will be a lot of waiting, court dates, motions filed, evidence gathered, and so on. As hard as it is, you need to be patient and let your lawyer do their job. Rushing things or taking shortcuts is a recipe for disaster.
7. Prepare for a Potential Trial
   Hopefully your lawyer can get the charges dismissed or negotiate a favorable plea deal. But you also need to be ready for the possibility that this thing goes all the way to trial. That means prepping with your lawyer, lining up witnesses and evidence, and being prepared to testify.
8. Explore All Options for Sentencing
   Even in a worst case scenario where you are convicted of perjury at trial, the fight isn’t necessarily over. Your lawyer can still work to get you the lowest possible sentence through arguments about mitigating factors, alternative sentencing, etc.

The key thing to remember is that you absolutely cannot take a perjury charge lightly or try to handle it yourself. Get a lawyer involved immediately and let them guide you through every step of what can be a long and complex process.

The Aftermath of a Perjury Conviction

Okay, let’s imagine the worst case scenario has played out – you‘ve been convicted of perjury. What happens next? What kind of long-term consequences are you facing?First off, there‘s the actual sentence to contend with. As we covered earlier, that could mean anything from probation to years behind bars, depending on the specifics of your case.But the fallout from a perjury conviction doesn’t stop there. You’ll also likely be dealing with:

A Permanent Criminal Record
Having a felony perjury conviction on your record can make it extremely difficult to get hired, go back to school, volunteer, adopt children, and so on. It will follow you around for life.

Loss of Professional Licenses
If you have a license to practice a professional trade like law, medicine, real estate, etc., you‘ll likely lose that license, at least temporarily, after a perjury conviction. Getting it reinstated can be an uphill battle.

Trouble Getting Housing
Many landlords and property managers now run criminal background checks on prospective tenants. A perjury conviction could make it very difficult to rent an apartment or house.

Issues with Immigration Status
For non-citizens, a perjury conviction is considered a crime of moral turpitude, which can have very serious consequences for your immigration status up to and including potential deportation.

Strained Personal Relationships
On a more personal level, a perjury charge can put an incredible strain on your relationships with family, friends, and loved ones as you deal with the stigma and life disruptions.The bottom line is, a perjury conviction can feel like a life sentence even after you‘ve served your actual sentence behind bars. It‘s a mark that will follow you around for years or even decades to come.That’s why it’s so crucial to take these charges incredibly seriously right from the start. Doing everything you can to avoid a conviction and clear your name is of the utmost importance when you’re facing perjury charges.