New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

Perjury is the act of lying or making verifiably false statements while under oath. Often, the penalties for perjury are as serious as the criminal act about which the individual was allegedly lying. Therefore, it is crucial that individuals do not speak under oath or with a law enforcement authority without first discussing their situation with an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Perjury may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony. The severity of the penalties someone may face for an act of perjury in New Jersey is often determined by the purported importance of the testimony in question. Unfortunately, there are many acts that may be considered perjury and all of them have varying degrees of potential outcomes.

Under New Jersey law, an individual does not have to be under oath to commit perjury. Providing a false report to a law enforcement official during an investigation can be considered perjury. Giving false information on an official document, such as an application or form, may also be considered perjury. Lying on an application for a handgun, for example, can result in felony charges. It often takes a skilled attorney to understand the severity of the crime and how to fight the resulting penalties.

The experienced New Jersey perjury defense attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have a long and successful track record of handling white collar crimes such as perjury. If you or a loved one has been accused of perjury in New Jersey, please contact our offices at (609) 240-0040 for a no-cost consultation.

Individuals already facing criminal charges can make their situation much worse if they lie while under oath. Perjury in New Jersey is a serious crime and it often results in serious penalties.

New Jersey Code 2C:28-1 states: “A person is guilty of perjury, a crime of the third degree, if in any official proceeding he makes a false statement under oath or equivalent affirmation, or swears or affirms the truth of a statement previously made, when the statement is material and he does not believe it to be true.”

Someone can commit an act of perjury while serving as a witness, when defending themselves in court, or even when making a written statement. Individuals may think that they are helping out their own case or their friend's case when in fact they are opening themselves up to serious criminal charges.

One important part of a perjury trial is determining that the defendant knowingly had the intention (mens rea) to commit the crime, which in this case, is lying under oath. Additionally, it must be proven that the defendant actually carried out the act (actus reus). Often, we see that individuals face perjury charges when they said something they did not intend to say or because they misunderstood a question.

The perjury defense lawyers in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein have a successful track record of defending our clients who have been charged with perjury in New Jersey. If you or a loved one is facing perjury charges or any other criminal charges, do not hesitate to call our law offices at 609-240-0040 to learn more about how our attorneys can help you. Call us today for a free, comprehensive, and confidential consultation.

Perjury is when someone knowingly makes false statements while under oath. This is a serious offense that may be prosecuted at the state or the federal level. Perjury charges in New Jersey can result in incarceration, as well as a damaged reputation that can hurt the defendant, both socially and professionally. Anyone charged with this “white collar crime” would be well-advised to seek legal guidance from an attorney with experience handling perjury cases in New Jersey right away.

Most New Jersey perjury cases involve an alleged lie or untruth that is uttered in court under oath, but the courthouse is not the only location that an act of perjury can take place. Someone who lies to a law enforcement authorities or who gives false information during a criminal investigation may be charged with perjury. It is also a crime to lie on an official document, such as a handgun application or driver's license application. In cases involving other criminal charges, a perjury offense may be added on top of the penalties the defendant may already face.

Perjury in New Jersey can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending upon the circumstances. Fighting perjury charges to avoid the heavy penalties that may result from a conviction is not easy. Did the defendant knowingly give a false answer? Did the accused understand what it meant to be under oath? Was the statement false at the time it was made? A knowledgeable lawyer will make sure that the appropriate and important questions are asked, while protecting the legal rights of the defendant.

The Princeton perjury attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein have successfully defended the rights of those accused of perjury in New Jersey. We provide free consultations at 609-240-0040 to anyone facing perjury charges. Talk to us before discussing the specifics of your case with the authorities.