Legal Definitions - perjurer

A perjurer is an individual who has committed the crime of perjury. This occurs when a person knowingly makes a false statement or provides misleading information after taking an oath to tell the truth. This oath can be administered in various official settings, such as a courtroom, before a grand jury, or during a deposition. Additionally, a person can become a perjurer by signing a document that explicitly states it is made "under penalty of perjury," knowing that the information contained within it is false.

The act of perjury is a serious offense because it undermines the integrity of legal proceedings and official processes that rely on truthful statements. Individuals found to be perjurers face significant criminal penalties, which can include fines, imprisonment, or both.

Here are some examples illustrating when someone might be considered a perjurer:

• Courtroom Testimony: Imagine a witness testifying in a civil lawsuit about a car accident. Under oath, the witness states that they saw the defendant stop at a red light, even though they clearly observed the defendant run the light. Because the witness knowingly provided false information while under a sworn oath in court, they would be considered a perjurer.

• Government Application: Consider a person applying for a specific professional license that requires them to disclose any past criminal convictions. On the application form, which includes a declaration signed "under penalty of perjury," the applicant falsely states they have no criminal record, despite having a felony conviction from several years ago. By signing this document with false information, knowing it to be untrue, the applicant becomes a perjurer.

• Sworn Deposition: During a deposition for a business dispute, a company executive is asked under oath about their knowledge of certain financial transactions. The executive denies any involvement or awareness of these transactions, even though internal emails and documents clearly show their direct approval and participation. Since the executive intentionally gave false testimony while under oath in a formal legal proceeding, they would be deemed a perjurer.