Courts have the power to summon witnesses to testify under oath in many legal proceedings, and the witnesses are obligated to testify truthfully. A failure to do so is known as perjury. Proving perjury can be difficult for a prosecutor, as they must prove the defendant intentionally made a false statement. Simply making a mistake in an official context does not fit this definition.

A Hartford perjury lawyer could help you if you face criminal accusations of lying under oath. These cases can arise from conduct in existing criminal trials, during family law disputes, or even when filing taxes or other government documents. A lawyer at Ruane Attorneys could help protect your rights and best interests when facing these accusations.

The Legal Concept of Perjury

Courts in Hartford and throughout the state rely on truthful information from witnesses and defendants. This means that all written information and spoken testimony must be true to the best of the speaker’s knowledge. Providing information under oath means that a person promises to fulfill this obligation. A person may face accusations of perjury if they give a statement they know to be false while under legal oath. This can apply when serving as a witness in a court proceeding, providing written evidence to a court, or even filing taxes or applying for a government-backed loan. An important concept in all perjury cases is the idea of intent. It is not sufficient for a prosecutor to show that a defendant made a false statement. The prosecutor must also prove that the defendant did so intentionally. Therefore, a defendant who is genuinely confused as to the date of an alleged incident does not commit perjury. The same is true in situations where a defendant in a criminal case does not admit to committing an offense while on the witness stand. A Hartford lawyer could further explain what it means to commit perjury under the law.

The Possible Consequences for a Perjury Conviction in Hartford

The severity of punishments for perjury convictions depends on the context in which the defendant commits the offense. According to Connecticut General Statute § 53a-157b, it is against the law to intentionally make a false written statement under oath with the purpose of misleading a public servant. Convictions here are class A misdemeanors that can bring a maximum jail sentence of one year in jail.Other examples of perjury are class D felonies. Under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53a-156, this involves situations where a defendant intentionally provides knowingly false information while under oath. While this can occur during a criminal trial, it also can involve providing false information during civil or administrative cases. An attorney at our firm could explain the penalties for allegations related to providing false information under oath.

Call a Hartford Perjury Attorney to Represent You

Allegations of perjury can be confusing and stressful. You may believe that the information you provided was correct. Still, if prosecutors think you have intentionally misled a court or government body, they could file charges alleging perjury.Any conviction for perjury could lead to a jail sentence without legal representation. It is essential that you understand the potential consequences and work with a Hartford perjury lawyer to defend yourself. At Ruane Attorneys, we can examine the documents or testimony in question and aim to discredit the prosecutor’s allegations that you have intentionally misled the court. Contact our firm today to let us get to work for you.