What is a perjury charge?

A perjury charge is a criminal offense in which an individual willfully and knowingly makes false statements in Court. It is a serious offense, as it is considered an obstruction of justice and an attempt to influence the outcome of a case. In Hawaii, a perjury charge is governed by the Hawaii Revised Statutes, which state that any person who “willfully, knowingly, and corruptly makes a false material statement upon any legal proceeding” is guilty of perjury. Such a statement must be made under oath or affirmation, and must be made with knowledge that it is false. A perjury charge carries serious consequences, including time in jail and heavy fines. In extreme cases, the Court may consider a conviction of perjury to be a felony. In such cases, the perpetrator could face up to five years in prison. In addition to criminal sanctions, other penalties may be imposed, including an injunction or even contempt of Court. It is important to note that a perjury charge can only be brought against a person who has made intentional and knowing false statements in Court. Therefore, an individual who may have made an accidental or unintentional false statement can not be charged with perjury.

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