What is a perjury charge?

A perjury charge is when a person has knowingly given false testimony while under oath in a court of law. Typically, the person is being questioned while on the witness stand and makes a false statement about a material fact. In Washington, a person can be charged with perjury if they intentionally lie or make false statements to hinder or prevent the administration of justice. Depending on the severity of the case, the individual could be charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. In Washington, perjury carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, a person can be found guilty of perjury even if the false statement was not actually material to the matter that was being litigated, as long as it was reasonably foreseeable that the statement would be important. It’s important to note that if a person retracts their false statement before the conclusion of the proceedings, they can avoid a perjury charge. Moreover, inaccuracy alone does not constitute perjury—the statement must be materially false and made intentionally for a perjury charge to be brought forward.

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