Perjury
Perjury is defined as lying under oath willfully or knowingly, or signing a document that you know contains information or assertions which are false. As experienced Los Angeles perjury defense lawyers, we know that a perjury conviction can leave you facing prison time. At The Justice Firm, we provide solid, effective legal guidance and representation; our primary goal is to help those accused of perjury avoid a conviction and harsh criminal penalties. There are a variety of defense strategies which may be beneficial, depending on the facts of your case.
California Penal Code 118 PC states that individuals may be subject to prosecution for perjury when false information is given in various circumstances such as:
- When being deposed
- When providing testimony in a court proceeding
- In a signed affidavit, declaration, or certificate
- In a DL 44 drivers license application at the DMV
Perjury is considered a felony offense in the state of California; it is important that you take action immediately when accused of this criminal offense in order to protect your freedom and legal rights. It is also important to note that even if you did not commit perjury but influenced another individual to commit the crime, you may be charged with subordination of perjury.
Prosecutors Must Prove the Elements of Perjury to Secure a ConvictionLike with all other crimes, anyone arrested for or charged with perjury is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Our Orange County perjury defense attorneys know the tactics prosecutors use to secure a conviction. We fight vigorously on your behalf, challenging the evidence brought by prosecutors and doing whatever it takes to protect your freedom.
In order to be found guilty, prosecutors must prove the following:
- That after taking an oath that you would be truthful in court, you answered a question with a false answer and knowingly did so;
- That you signed a sworn statement as being true knowing that information contained in the statement was false;
- That while being questioned under oath, you had a reasonable understanding of the question being asked of you;
- That at the time you made your statement, it was false;
- That you concealed a material fact or made a statement which contained false material fact and did so knowingly or willingly
As mentioned previously, the criminal penalties for a perjury conviction include potential prison time of up to four years. However, a first-time offender will typically not serve jail/prison time if he or she has no criminal record, and may instead serve probation and be required to perform community service, pay substantial fines, or restitution. Having a criminal record will also impact your career and future employment opportunities. A criminal record can affect many areas of your life, including professional licenses, obtaining a real estate loan, and more.
Contact The Justice Firm nowIf you have been accused of perjury, we urge you to contact The Justice Firm today. Don't put your reputation, career, and possibly even your freedom in jeopardy! We are ready to provide you with an outstanding defense, and will work to reach positive results. Contact our Los Angeles criminal defense firm today at 310-914-2444.