While it is not against the law to tell a lie in most situations, there are some exceptions. If you swear to tell the truth on a written government document or aloud during court proceedings, lying under oath could lead to your arrest. The state has made the consequences of this offense substantial in an effort to promote truthful testimony. Fortunately, there are ways to fight these charges with the help of a compassionate white-collar defense attorney. Let a Columbia perjury lawyer help you protect your rights.
South Carolina law defines perjury as making or affirming a false statement while sworn to tell the truth. A person generally swears to tell the truth when testifying in court proceedings, but there are other situations where this law applies. Most government forms require people to provide truthful information, and failure to do so could also qualify as perjury if the lie was intentional.
Perjury may include an outright falsehood or a misrepresentation of a fact that is close to the truth. A person could be charged for claiming they were not present at a location when there is evidence they were, or for providing misleading income information on a tax return. To secure a conviction, the state does not have to prove the exact nature of the falsehood. For example, a defendant could be convicted of perjury for making two conflicting statements under oath, even when it is unclear which one was the truth.
The support of a Columbia attorney is crucial to avoid a perjury conviction and serious consequences. The penalties vary by case, and if charged with a felony for lying in court, a conviction could result in up to five years in prison. False statements on documents such as tax returns are considered a misdemeanor, and a conviction could include up to six months in jail.
Perjury is a crime of intent, and the state cannot always prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused knowingly or intentionally made a misstatement of fact. It is not a crime to be mistaken or wrong, which makes for one of the strongest possible defense strategies.
There are other defense options available as well, and the seasoned perjury lawyers from the Law Offices of Bill Nettles in Columbia know how to build the strongest possible cases for their clients. We often highlight the lack of evidence in general, arguing that even if a jury assumes what the prosecution says is true, it is not enough to warrant a criminal conviction. Our other defense strategies have focused on the violation of the constitutional rights of the accused.
If you have been accused of perjury, you must rely on the guidance of skilled legal counsel to navigate this complex situation. A conviction could change your life, but fighting against these charges is possible. Do not put your freedom at risk by acting on your own; instead, seek help from a law firm with decades of experience in white-collar law. Reach out to a Columbia perjury lawyer at the Law Offices of Bill Nettles today.
