Perjury

Speaking in a court room can be intimidating. It may be more intimidating if you are testifying on the behalf of your friend, your family member, or yourself. You are required to take an oath of honesty before testifying in front of a judge and jury. However, you may find yourself wanting to bend the facts of the case in order to protect those you love or yourself. But you swore to tell the truth.

If you or someone you love has been charged with perjury, contact the San Jose criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Daniel Jensen, LLP. at [phone-number] for information about getting represented in your hearings.

What Is Perjury?

Perjury is defined as intentionally lying to a jury while under oath. When not under oath, you cannot be accused of perjury because you have not agreed to tell the truth.

You are only guilty of perjury if the facts you lie about directly influence the outcome of the case for which you are testifying. For instance, lying about your age in a case that will not be affected one way or the other by your age is not considered perjury.

An example of what is considered perjury is lying about someone’s whereabouts at the time of the murder he or she was accused of committing. Since this could sway the decision of the jury and you promised to tell the truth but did not, you can be held accountable if the court finds out you were lying.

If you say something that is false while under oath but you believe your account to be truthful, you have not committed perjury. The difference is that you did not intentionally lie. Perjury is a serious offense that can carry a stiff penalty. You should have an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your corner should you be accused of committing perjury.

Contact Us

If your or a loved one has been accused of perjury, the San Jose criminal lawyers at the Law Office of Daniel Jensen, LLP. may be able to help you. Contact us today at [phone-number] to learn more about what we can do for you.