Chicago Perjury Criminal Defense Attorney Explains How Illinois Law Defines Perjury.

According to 720 ILCS 5/32-2, a person commits perjury when, under oath or affirmation, in a proceeding or in any other matter where by law the oath or affirmation is required, he or she makes a false statement, material to the issue or point in question, knowing the statement is false. Put it simple, Chicago Perjury Criminal Defense Attorney explained that perjury happens when somebody lies under oath.

The Broad Definition of Perjury in Illinois Law.

However, perjury does not include only lying under oath in court. Now, a person commits perjury when he or she makes a false statement in a sworn affidavit, family court. Finally, perjury could happen in other judicial or administrative proceedings when a person makes statements to the judge or a hearing officer. Thus, if a person does not commit perjury by lying to the police during the police interrogation in custody. At the same time, Chicago Perjury Criminal Defense Attorney always warns his clients never talk to the police. Thus, always use your right to remain silent and call Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Tikhvinskiy.

Other Elements of Perjury.

Previously, Chicago Perjury Criminal Defense Lawyer explained that a person has to make a false statement under oath to be guilty of perjury. Next, this person should know that this statement was false. For example, a witness does not commit perjury if he or she made a false statement because he or she forgot what was going on in the past. Sometimes, witnesses make innocent mistakes and those are not perjuries. Finally, the false statement has to be material to the issue or point in question. Usually, material statements are statements that affect the proceedings. Therefore, lying or bragging about things that are irrelevant to the proceedings often does not lead to perjury. Often, that happens in family cases.

Examples of Perjury.

Of course, a person could commit perjury when he or she makes a false statement on the witness stand. Second, a person commits perjury when he or she lies about his injuries that he suffered in a car accident during a deposition. Third, a person commits perjury when he provides false information in the financial affidavit in the divorce proceedings.

Consequences of Perjury Explained by Chicago Criminal Defense Attorney Tikhvinskiy.

For many people, being charged with a criminal offense is a terrifying experience. Not surprisingly, people who are charged with criminal offenses will do everything to avoid a conviction. Sometimes, they even lie under oath. At the same time, lies undermine the integrity of the judicial system. As a result, the judicial system severely punishes people who lie under oath. Therefore, perjury is a serious class 3 felony offense. A person who is guilty of a class 3 felony, could spend up to 5 years in prison. However, Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy knows a lot of defenses available to people who are facing perjury charges. Thus, if the State charged you with the offense of perjury call Chicago Criminal Defense Lawyer Tikhvinskiy at (312) 583-7345. First consultation is always free!