Legal Definitions - false evidence

False evidence refers to any information presented in a legal proceeding that is known to be untrue or misleading, and is offered with the deliberate intent to deceive the court, jury, or other parties involved. This can include spoken statements (false testimony), written documents, physical objects, or any other form of information introduced to influence the outcome of a case.

Here are some examples illustrating false evidence:

• Example 1: Fabricated Alibi

  In a criminal trial for robbery, a defendant's friend testifies under oath that the defendant was with them at a distant location at the exact time the robbery occurred. However, the friend knows this statement is untrue and has agreed to lie to provide the defendant with a false alibi. This constitutes false evidence because the friend's testimony is a deliberate misrepresentation of facts intended to mislead the court and secure an acquittal for the defendant.

• Example 2: Forged Document

  During a civil lawsuit concerning a breach of contract, one party submits a document purporting to be a signed agreement between the parties. Unbeknownst to the court, this party has digitally altered the dates and signatures on an old, unrelated document to create the impression of a valid, current contract that supports their claim. This forged document is false evidence because it is a fabricated piece of information presented as genuine to deceive the court about the existence and terms of an agreement.

• Example 3: Tampered Physical Evidence

  In an investigation into a workplace accident, an employee who was responsible for maintaining a piece of machinery fears being blamed. Before investigators arrive, the employee intentionally loosens a critical bolt on the machine, knowing it was securely fastened at the time of the accident, to make it appear as though a mechanical failure was the cause. The tampered machine, when examined by investigators, would present false evidence because its altered state is a deliberate attempt to mislead about the true circumstances of the accident.