Lake County has a Perjury Intervention Unit
In a unique case in North Central California, a Lincoln woman pled guilty to perjury for lying in a child custody case. The underlying case involved a divorced couple who could not come to an agreement over the custody of their young son. The father of the child stated that their three year old son had been subjected to domestic violence and alcohol abuse from the mother’s boyfriend. The mother denied these claims, and signed an affidavit under penalty of perjury that there was any domestic violence or alcohol abuse in her household. She further testified in court that she was not a victim of domestic violence and that there was no alcohol abuse.
However, evidence was introduced at trial that showed that police had been called to the mother’s house after her boyfriend physically abused her. After the police arrived, they stated that the mother appeared to be intoxicated. The police also testified that they had been called to the residence for other incidents of domestic violence. The mother then claimed that she had never signed the affidavit, and that her attorney wrote the document and forged her signature. The district attorney’s office then charged her with perjury, to which she pled guilty. In California, the charge of perjury carries a maximum sentence of four years imprisonment.
Lake County, where Lincoln is located, is unique in that it has established a Perjury Intervention Unit, which is apparently the only such unit in the United States. This unit prosecutes cases such as this, where people lie in civil and other court cases. The goal of the unit is to encourage people to not lie in court and in official documents by more aggressively prosecuting perjury cases.
As experienced Orange County criminal defense attorneys, we know that there are many reasons why people might not be candid in court, particularly in situations involving domestic violence. However, because perjury is a serious crime, it is vital that you be honest in all official documents and in court filings. If you do not know or remember something, it is better to say that than to actively lie.
A person can be prosecuted for perjury if he or she willfully gives false information when testifying in court, being deposed, in a false affidavit, in a signed declaration, in a driver’s license application, or in a signed certificate. Essentially, if you give false information while under oath, you could be subject to perjury charges. According to a seasoned Orange County criminal defense attorney, perjury is a felony offense.
If you have been charged with perjury, there may be defenses. For example, if you misunderstood a question, or were mistaken about the information, your Orange County criminal defense attorney could use that to defend you against the charges. Depending on the facts of your case, you may be able to have your charges reduced or dismissed.
The Chambers Law Firm represents clients who have been charged with perjury and other offenses in Orange County and the surrounding areas. Contact us today at 714-760-4088 or dchambers@clfca.com to schedule a free initial appointment and learn more about how we can help defend you against a variety of criminal charges.
