The consequences for lying during a court proceeding are serious. Perjury occurs when you provide false testimony during a court case or on a document filed with the court. The cornerstone of our justice system is truthful witness testimony and lying is punished harshly under the law.
When charged with perjury, you could end up serving prison time. A permanent criminal record could impact your life for years to come. After a conviction, you could have difficulty finding a job or a place to live, and it could affect your relationships. Consult a Goose Creek perjury lawyer for help defending against these charges. Call today to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney about your legal rights and options.
Types of Perjury Offenses
Perjury involves intentionally lying or making false statements under oath. Someone cannot be charged with perjury for making false statements due to confusion or poor memory. Moreover, the statement is not perjury if the person is not under oath. To secure a conviction for perjury, the prosecutor must be able to prove that the accused intentionally lied to the court during an official proceeding.
There are a few types of perjury in South Carolina:
- Willfully providing false, misleading, or omitting testimony under oath during a legal proceeding
- Willfully providing false, misleading, or omitting information from a legal document
- Coercing someone else to commit perjury
Regardless of the type of perjury, a conviction can mean significant penalties. Notwithstanding the potential legal consequences, perjury is a crime of dishonesty, so even if not convicted, the charge could reflect poorly on the accused’s character.
Potential Penalties for a Perjury Conviction
Like any other criminal offense, the potential penalties for a perjury conviction vary based on the nature of the crime.
Perjury During a Legal Proceeding
This is the most serious perjury offense. It is charged as a felony, and the court can impose fines at its discretion. If convicted, the sentence is up to five years in prison.
Perjury on a Legal Document
While not as serious as lying in open court, providing false information on a legal document is still a misdemeanor in South Carolina. If convicted, the court can sentence up to six months and impose fines of up to $100.
Coercing Someone to Perjure Themselves
Convincing someone else to lie in court or on a document is a serious crime. It is charged as a misdemeanor. If convicted, the defendant could spend up to six months in prison and pay fines of up to $100.
If accused of perjury, consult a well-practiced Goose Creek lawyer about a potential defense strategy.
Defenses to Perjury
Judges have a great deal of discretion, and a strong argument can help reduce or alleviate charges entirely. A skilled Goose Creek perjury attorney could review the accused’s record and the facts of the case to develop a strong defense. The clearest defense to a perjury charge is proving the truth of the statement or showing that it was not intentionally misleading. The defendant must have willfully provided false testimony or information to be convicted. The court may reduce or dismiss the charges if the defendant lacks a prior criminal history or demonstrates other mitigating factors.
Contact a Goose Creek Perjury Attorney for Legal Guidance
You might be wondering what to do next if you were charged with perjury. Fighting these types of charges without an experienced professional can be challenging. Contact a Goose Greek perjury lawyer to help you develop a strong defense.
A capable legal professional could review the evidence against you and recommend a strategy. Depending on what happened, an attorney may be able to negotiate with the prosecutor to have the charges reduced or dropped. If your case goes to trial, our dedicated attorneys could represent your interests every step of the way.