Denton Criminal Lawyer

Understanding Perjury

There have been a number of recent high-profile perjury cases involving superstar athletes. However, this crime can come up in nearly all types of legal cases. Perjury, also called lying under oath, involves falsifying spoken or written information when you have taken an oath to tell the truth.

Interestingly, not all cases of lying under oath are considered perjury. If you have been charged with perjury, an experienced criminal defense attorney can help you defend your rights and determine if you have been wrongfully accused of this crime. To discuss your case, contact a tenacious Denton criminal defense lawyer from Alexander & Associates today by calling 972-420-6560.

What Counts as Perjury?

Perjury is the act of knowingly and willingly lying under oath when you are involved in judicial proceedings. An individual may commit perjury, or forswear, if he or she lies while testifying in court or in official legal documents pertaining to a specific case.

Perjury Defense Options

There may be a number of potential defense strategies for perjury charges. First, the falsification of information can only count as perjury if it directly involves the outcome of the case. For instance, if a judge asks you how old you are and you say 26 rather than 29, this may not count as perjury unless your age somehow influences the case.

Additionally, sometimes witnesses will be asked to testify as to what they saw happen while a crime was being undertaken. Oddly, the mind plays tricks on memory, especially during traumatic events, and this can alter one’s recollection of the event. Perception plays a large role in the ability to recount information. This limitation may affect one’s testimony in court.

Contact Us

Frustratingly, even seemingly minor crimes such as perjury can permanently mar your record. If you have been accused of perjury, you should not take these charges lightly. Contact an experienced Denton criminal defense attorney from Alexander & Associates at 972-420-6560 today to learn more about your legal options.