If you've been charged with perjury in California, you should take the accusation seriously. It is advisable to consult a criminal defense counsel before pleading guilty, regardless of what the prosecution claims or how much evidence they claim they have against you. You may learn about some of the defensive choices that might work for you below. For a free legal consultation, call the Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055.

Perjury is a legal term that refers to the act of lying

Perjury occurs when someone knowingly and purposefully provides false information while under oath. Perjury may take various forms, one of which is delivering false information while testifying in court, but there are many more. A person submitting incorrect information when filing out taxes, applying for a driver's license, or applying for a loan, for example, might be charged with perjury.

Several things must be proven by the prosecution

To convict you of perjury, the prosecution must show that you made the statement knowingly and willingly, that you knew it was false, that you were under oath at the time, and that the statement was linked to a "material" fact. In layman's terms, this simply says that it was a significant fact.

Perjury's potential consequences and your defense options

You might face up to four years in state jail and a heavy fine if you are convicted of perjury in California. This is why we highly advise you to contact a criminal defense lawyer. Even if the evidence against you makes you feel like you've been caught "red-handed," we advocate doing so. Even if the prosecution claims they will give you a short sentence, we urge consulting a counsel.

Why? Because you may be unaware of certain defense choices. Take note of the four elements the prosecution must establish, as outlined above. They may be able to show that you made a false statement, but they must also show that you were aware of it. As a consequence, you may be able to establish that you misinterpreted the question, that you were confused about the deception and were not willfully lying, that you were not under oath, or that there is insufficient evidence to condemn you.

We might be able to get an acquittal or have the charges withdrawn if we can show any of that. This is a serious offense that might result in a lengthy prison sentence as well as a lifelong criminal record. To schedule a free legal consultation, call Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 now.