California Penal Code 118 – Perjury (essentionally giving false material information while under oath)

One may be prosecuted for “perjury” if she willfully provides false information/testimony:

  • when testifying in court,
  • when being deposed,
  • in a signed affidavit,
  • in a signed declaration,
  • in a document signed under penalty of perjury (such as insurance documents to obtain insurance money for a loss)

Penalty for committing perjury

Perjury is a felony in California law. If convicted, the person could be sentenced to up to 4 years in the California State Prison.

The judge has discretion, however, to grant probation and impose little or no actual jail time. Experienced criminal defense lawyers such as Michael P. Kade can vigorously defend you in this area of law. Some of the defenses that can be advanced by your lawyer may include the fact that you made a mistake in giving false testimony rather than lying, or that you misunderstood the question, the issue was minor or that you were not actually under oath.