Sometimes people are charged with DMV perjury and don’t even know what it is. Thankfully we at Chambers Law Firm are always here to help our valued clients navigate through all their legal questions and issues. If you or a loved one is being charged with DMV perjury, here’s what you need to know.
DMV perjury definition
By definition, perjury means providing false information on purpose, while officially under oath. Perjury can happen both verbally and in written communication, such as in court or on signed affidavits, declarations, certificates, or DMV applications. In many cases, the key to successfully defending someone of DMV perjury is proving that the false information was given without malicious intent. Prosecutors in DMV perjury cases must prove that the misinformation was given on purpose, but when Southern California’s top criminal defense lawyer defense you in a DMV perjury case, he will strive to prove that your case doesn’t include a high enough level of intent for a conviction to be issued.
A subset of DMV perjury is the crime of subornation to perjury, which happens when one person convinces someone else to perjure himself or herself by intentionally providing false information while under oath.
California state penal code sections apply to perjury cases: PC Sections 118 through 131.
Possible penalties for perjury
If convicted, someone who is being tried for DMV perjury will have a felony conviction on his or her permanent record. Those who provide false information to the DMV on a document may also have a separate misdemeanor charge listed on their record. Felony charges are very serious because those who have them will not be allowed to vote and may have difficulty securing stable employment and adequate housing.
A felony DMV perjury conviction carries a penalty of up to 4 years in state prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Misdemeanor DMV document perjury charge may lead to 6 months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine, sometimes in addition to the felony penalties.
If you’re dealing with a DMV perjury charge… don’t give up hope!
DMV perjury charges can be difficult for prosecutors to nail down because intent cannot always be easily proven. Expert criminal defense lawyer Dan Chambers specializes in DMV perjury cases, and always knows exactly how to introduce doubts as to the defendant’s intentions that lead him or her to provide the false information to the DMV.
For example, DMV forms can sometimes be rather difficult to understand. Perhaps you unintentionally filled out a form incorrectly, inadvertently perjuring yourself.
Or it’s possible that in court, the defendant didn’t understand a question posed to him or her and thus provided misinformation without meaning to.
In DMV perjury cases, intentions—also known as motives—are everything. Get Southern California’s best criminal defense lawyer on your side today by calling Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088. Or if you prefer, email dchambers@clfca.com or send an online message by clicking CONTACT in the menu at the top of this page.
Perjury charges are very serious—get the best defense possible today by calling Dan Chambers.
