South Carolina Perjury Lawyer

South Carolina law defines perjury as willfully providing false, misleading, or incomplete testimony during a criminal proceeding while under oath. The state may also charge someone with perjury if they make a false or misleading statement on a legally binding form or document.

Anyone who provides legal testimony in court – or in writing – may face a perjury charge. This includes anyone testifying including police officers, detectives, investigators, experts, and eyewitnesses to the occurrence.

If the state charged you with committing perjury in your case, you may need an aggressive defense attorney in your corner every step of the way. A South Carolina perjury lawyer may be able to help you assemble successful legal defenses and represent you in court.

Perjury Laws in South Carolina

Perjury laws apply in any situation where witnesses are sworn to tell the truth. This includes depositions, trials, and hearings. However, the mere fact that one witness’ statement contradicts that of another witness is not sufficient to prove perjury.

Perjury laws also apply to signed affidavits where the signer swears or affirms to tell the whole and complete truth. Tax forms and college admissions applications may also subject to state perjury laws. An intentional falsehood on one of those forms could result in a perjury charge. A local attorney could further explain what perjury is and what state and federal laws apply to specific charges.

Trying to Correct a Statement

Perjury, like forgery, is a specific intent crime. This means that the alleged offender must have intended to make a knowingly false statement. If the person claims they honestly believed their statement to be true, they may be able to negate the perjury charge and obtain a dismissal of their case. Similarly, if the offender attempted to correct a knowingly false statement, the judge or jury may view this action as a mitigation attempt.

Potential Consequences

Perjury can result in hefty fines, jail time, and other harsh consequences. Moreover, perjury may suggest an individual has a propensity for lying which can be a threat to their personal and professional reputation. Additionally, lying under oath is a felony in South Carolina and can result in a jail sentence of five years, a fine, or both.

Providing false information in an affidavit or other legal document is a misdemeanor in South Carolina. This may result in a maximum of six months’ incarceration, a minimum fine of $100, or both.

Judges have wide discretion when imposing jail time and monetary fines. A South Carolina perjury attorney may be able to argue for the best options under the given circumstances.

Contact a South Carolina Perjury Attorney Today

Given the high fines and possible imprisonment associated with perjury in South Carolina, it may not be a good idea to take a go at it alone approach. Instead of trying to handle the complex legal landscape alone, an attorney can serve as a guide, help you feel empowered while confronting the charges, and aggressively defend you against the government.

A South Carolina perjury lawyer may also be able to present your case in the best possible light during a criminal trial. To learn more about how a passionate attorney may be an asset to your case, call today to schedule a free consultation.