Perjury is a serious offence, and means making a false statement deliberately under oath, affirmation or declaration. This means making false statements and representations in courts, tribunals, and in written documents such as statutory declarations and sworn statements. If you commit perjury, you can face up to 15 years in prison, but punishments vary.

The offence of perjury is:
Whosoever commits wilful and corrupt perjury or subornation of perjury shall be liable to level 4 imprisonment (15 years maximum). 

Perjury is also a common law offence, which means it’s not written into legislation, but is still recognised by all courts. Common law perjury also covers behaviour/statements made in court.

     What exactly is perjury?
Perjury is where a person signs/gives a witness statement to police when they know what they’ve said to be false, lying in an affidavit or statutory declaration, or lying in court.

     Defending yourself against perjury charges
To find you guilty of perjury, the police must prove beyond reasonable doubt that you made a false statement under oath or affirmation, and that you knew the statement was false. Under common law, the police must prove that you made a false statement under oath or affirmation, during a judicial proceeding, which was material to the case, and you knew the statement was false.

Defences Vanessa Ash might use to defend you on perjury charges can include the Duress Defence or the Self-Defence Defence.

     Getting legal advice early matters
If you are up on perjury charges, contact Vanessa Ash for legal representation – you need the best for serious charges like perjury.

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