Palmetto Perjury Lawyer

When someone faces a perjury charge, the state has alleged they made untrue statements under oath. A perjury conviction can mean a felony on your criminal record and harsh legal consequences, including costly fines and jail time. An arrest for perjury could result from false testimony during a trial or other official proceeding.

Perjury occurs when someone gives false information under oath during a judicial proceeding – the classic example would be if someone lied during a criminal trial. When you face charges of this nature, call a qualified Palmetto perjury lawyer to discuss your legal options. A committed attorney from J. Ryan Brown Law can guide you from start to finish of your legal proceedings and fight hard to protect your future prospects.

The Georgia Criminal Perjury Statute

When a person lies under oath or provides misleading statements during a judicial proceeding, they could face an arrest for perjury. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 16-10-70, an individual who knowingly and willfully makes false statements or falsifies an affirmation to tell the truth, while under oath in a judicial proceeding, is guilty of perjury.

A state prosecutor must establish specific elements for a perjury conviction, and those include the following:

• The individual knowingly and willfully provided false testimony or statements
• The false statements they provided were material to the case and point of the proceeding
• The person gave the false statements while under oath during court or official proceedings

Statements material to the point or case in question means the lies the person provides could influence the outcome of the proceeding. A person guilty of giving many false statements under oath will face steeper penalties and additional adverse consequences.

The Potential Penalties for a Perjury Conviction

An individual guilty of perjury faces a prison sentence of one to ten years and fines of up to $1,000. If the false statements or testimony leads to the conviction and sentencing of another person, the consequences become even more severe.

The court could sentence the defendant to a term of imprisonment comparable to the sentence the person wrongly convicted has served. The penalties will depend on many factors and the outcome of the matter in question. If someone has questions about the penalties associated with a specific act of perjury, they should seek legal guidance from a Palmetto perjury attorney.

The Potential Defense Strategies for Perjury Charges

Some of the potential defense strategies against perjury charges include the following:

• Arguing that the individual provided false statements or testimony by accident and did not mean to perjure themselves
• The untruths they gave during the proceeding were not material to the case or point in question
• During ongoing proceedings, they later recanted their false statements

After careful investigation and case review, a knowledgeable perjury attorney in Palmetto can help prepare a strategy tailored to the specifics of the unique case.

Schedule a Meeting With a Skilled Palmetto Perjury Attorney

Criminal court prosecutes crimes of perjury so harshly because the truth is essential for justice. While there is a potential for severe punishment, there are also effective defense strategies, and enlisting the help of an attorney improves your chances of reaching a favorable outcome in your case.

Please keep in mind that the longer you have to prepare, the higher your chances of reaching the ideal result in your case. Call an experienced Palmetto perjury lawyer from J. Ryan Brown Law today to schedule your consultation.