Perjurer Definition and Legal Meaning
On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Perjurer, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.
What is Perjurer?
the person who under the oath tells lies or commits crime of perjury where he knowingly either gives a false statement in the court of law or declares in writing the false information as in the affidavit or legal documents, all under the oath.
History and Meaning of Perjurer
Perjury is the act of lying under oath or giving false information while under oath in a court of law. Therefore a perjurer is a person who commits perjury. The function of an oath is to emphasize the importance of honesty in court proceedings. A perjurer undermines this fundamental principle of justice, and it is considered a criminal offense punishable by law.
The history of perjury as a criminal offense can be traced back to ancient Rome, where it was viewed as a serious crime against the state. In England, perjury became illegal from the 13th century and was punishable by imprisonment, property forfeiture, or even death. Currently, perjury is a crime under the laws of most countries around the world.
Examples of Perjurer
- A witness who lies under oath about what they saw or heard during a court proceeding is a perjurer.
- A defendant who lies on the witness stand when giving testimony is guilty of perjury.
- A person who makes a false statement in a signed affidavit or influenced someone else to make a false statement is considered to have committed perjury.
- A law enforcement officer who lies in court is a perjurer.
- Someone who knowingly and willfully lies while being deposed in a civil deposition could be considered a perjurer.
Legal Terms Similar to Perjurer
- Credibility: The quality of being believed, trustworthy, and reliable. This term is relevant to perjury proceedings because it pertains to how believable a witness is considered.
- Obstruction of Justice: Any action taken to hinder the administration of justice. This term is related to perjury because giving false testimony can obstruct justice.
- Sworn Testimony: Testimony given under oath. This term is related to perjury because lying during sworn testimony is considered perjury.