Perjury and False Swearing
You’ve heard it countless times in movies and TV shows.
Well, it is actually still an instruction to a witness in court. Before testifying, the witness is asked to raise his or her right hand and swear...
"…tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth."
Under the laws of West Virginia, once you say “I do” and are placed under oath, you have sworn to be truthful – or else.
What is Perjury?
Perjury is defined as the act of intentionally making false statements in sworn written testimony or while under oath in a court of law. For perjury to take place, testimony must be related to material that could influence the outcome of the case.
The penalty for perjury can be tougher than you might suspect. Perjury is considered a Class 5 felony in West Virginia.
For Class 5 felonies, a term of imprisonment of no less than 1 year and no more than 10 years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court, confinement in jail for not more than a year and a fine of not more than $2,500.
You should also know that anyone convicted of perjury and obstruction of justice is forever incapable of holding any office or honor or of serving as a juror in West Virginia.
What is False Swearing?
Alternatively, if a lie has no bearing on the outcome of the case, you may be charged with false swearing. This can happen by willfully testifying falsely regarding a matter that is not material in a felony trial, or concerning anything in any other instance.
False swearing is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and potential jail time of up to 1 year.
If you’ve been charged with perjury or false swearing...
You need to act quickly to construct a sound defense.
At La Neve Law Offices, Clarksburg Criminal Attorney Todd La Neve makes every effort to offer high-quality, effective legal help to clients facing perjury and false swearing charges.
As a West Virginia criminal defense attorney with years of experience, Todd La Neve understands the implications of these charges. He knows how to construct a strong defense to ensure your side of the story gets heard in court.
Put Attorney La Neve’s experience and expertise to work for you, so you can have a strong defense against perjury or false swearing charges.
Contact La Neve Law Offices today!
