Top Cary, NC Perjury Lawyers Near You
Former prosecutor with 22+ years of experience. Client focused with proven results. Available after 5pm and on Weekends!
Free Consultation
Facing Criminal Charges? We're Here To Ensure Your Rights Are Protected. Schedule A Free Consultation Today
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
2310 South Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703
Richardson Law Office PLLC, is a law firm in Cary, North Carolina with experience resolving cases in Perjury.
Free Consultation
3801 Western Blvd, Ste 107, Raleigh, NC 27606
In the Cary, North Carolina area, Hale Law Firm, PC can help you resolve your Perjury issues.
Free Consultation
512 W. Thomas St Rocky, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
Representing clients with Perjury issues in North Carolina, Bennett & Gulley, P.A., a reputable law firm based in Cary.
Free Consultation
555 Fayetteville St, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27601
5 W Hargett St, Suite 500, Raleigh, NC 27601
4208 Forks Road, Suite 1000, Raleigh, NC 27609
2609 Atlantic Ave, Suite 207, Raleigh, NC 27604
19 West Hargett Street, Suite 400, Raleigh, NC 27601
434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2800, Raleigh, NC 27601
555 Fayetteville St, 3rd Floor #14, Raleigh, NC 27601
421 Fayetteville St, Suite 1210, Raleigh, NC 27601
4008 Barrett Drive, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609
5425 Page Rd, Suite 430, Durham, NC 27703
150 Fayetteville St., Suite 1900, Raleigh, NC 27601
434 Fayetteville Street, #710, Raleigh, NC 27601
19 W Hargett St, Suite 508, Raleigh, NC 27601
5400 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27612
5 W Hargett St, Suite 711, Raleigh, NC 27601
150 Fayetteville Street, Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27601
212 W Church St, Nashville, NC 27856
210 N. Columbia Stret, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
3020 S Miami Blvd, Suite 201, Durham, NC 27703
434 Fayetteville St, Suite 1640, Raleigh, NC 27601
5540 Centerview Dr, Ste 200, Raleigh, NC 27606
202 S Greensboro St, Suite B, Carrboro, NC 27510
Cary Perjury Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Perjury attorneys in Cary and checks their standing with North Carolina bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
The Crime of Perjury
Perjury is the willful act of swearing a false oath or falsifying an affirmation to tell the truth during an official proceeding. For example, when a witness fails to testify at a trial truthfully, they can be charged with perjury. The state you live in will determine the specific elements of perjury. Depending on the specifics of your case an attorney can help defend you against these charges.
What Is the Definition of Perjury?
Perjury can be a difficult offense to comprehend, as many common misconceptions exist surrounding the nature of the crime given its prevalence in popular culture. Generally, perjury refers to instances in which — while under authorized oath — a person offering testimony or being questioned knowingly and intentionally makes a materially false statement.
The definition of what constitutes a material falsehood versus an immaterial falsehood pertains to the case itself. For example, lying about a potential murder weapon (type, whereabouts, who was holding it) is likely to be material — or relevant — to the case. However, making a false statement about what one served to their pet cat that day is far less likely to be judged as a material element to a murder case in which an eyewitness is being called to testify.
What Is the Difference Between Lying and Perjury?
On a superficial level, it may seem like the act of lying and the act of committing perjury are one and the same, but from a legal standpoint, there are several differences.
While lying might be a commonplace practice among humans, the telling of a falsehood is not considered to be perjury in all instances where the person being questioned is not placed under oath by an authorized public official. Lying to your spouse about where you were last night is simply relaying a falsehood, but lying to a court prosecutor about where you were last night is likely to be an example of perjury — whether you are a key witness or a suspect yourself.
People tell lies of all shapes and sizes. However, in order to qualify as perjury, a lie must be relevant — or material — to the case on trial. This is another point of differentiation from a standard lie, which often has no bearing on any greater point of relevance.
Finally, lies of omission are exempt from categorization as perjury. Perjury concerns itself with what is said, what is subscribed to and what is authorized by the person being questioned — not with what the witness did not say.
How Is Perjury Proven?
For perjury to be proven, several elements must be in play. First, the statement must be materially false, as discussed above. Second, the offender committing perjury must have knowingly, and intentionally, misled the court while under oath.
This can make proving an instance of perjury very difficult. While a material falsehood may be easy enough to prove via cross-examination and presentation of evidence, proving that a witness knowingly and intentionally misled the court can be a much more challenging bar to clear. Collecting evidence — say, in the form of text messages or emails — can be useful in proving the guilt of a potential perjurer.
Is Perjury a Felony or a Misdemeanor?
Perjury is most frequently categorized as a felony at both the federal level as well as at the state level, but exceptions do exist.
For example, in the state of New York, perjury can be classified as a misdemeanor if the lie being made under oath is nonetheless judged immaterial or irrelevant to the case at hand. Otherwise, if the lie made under oath is judged material to the case at hand, you would likely face felony charges instead.
How Much Jail Time Can You Be Sentenced to if Found Guilty of Perjury?
If found guilty of perjury in federal court, the USC allows for a sentence of up to five years imprisonment.
State laws vary greatly in terms of their sentencing guidelines and requirements, but in broad terms, punishments are determined by the severity of the charges being laid, and whether or not they are categorized as misdemeanors or as felonies. In Texas, for example, simple perjury is considered a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of one year in county jail as well as a $4,000 fine. However, aggravated perjury is a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.
Whether or not perjury is considered aggravated is determined by whether the falsehood made under oath is material to the case — the same reasoning applies in the state of New York as well as many other jurisdictions.
Have You Been Charged With Perjury?
If you have been charged with perjury, you are facing serious charges. A skilled perjury attorney is the first person you should contact about your case.