Perjury

Also known as: Lying Under Oath

In one sentence

Deliberately lying under oath in a legal proceeding.

Plain English

Perjury is when someone swears to tell the truth in court or another legal setting and then intentionally lies. The key is that the lie must be deliberate—accidentally giving wrong information doesn't count as perjury. Perjury is itself a crime because the justice system depends on truthful testimony, and lying under oath undermines that foundation.

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Example

A witness testifies at trial that she saw the defendant at the crime scene. Later, investigators discover she was actually at home watching television that night and deliberately lied to help her friend. She can be charged with perjury for intentionally giving false testimony.

Used in a sentence

“The witness was convicted of perjury after admitting she had fabricated her entire testimony.”

Related terms

Felony

A serious crime punishable by more than one year in prison or death.

bribery of a witness

Offering money or benefits to a witness to influence their testimony or prevent them from testifying.

false arrest

An unlawful arrest made without proper legal authority, probable cause, or a valid warrant.

adjudication hearing

A court proceeding where a judge hears evidence and makes a formal decision about a legal matter.

Plea Bargain

A negotiated agreement where a defendant pleads guilty in exchange for reduced charges or sentencing.

Stand Your Ground

A law allowing a person to use force, including deadly force, to defend themselves without a duty to retreat.

Castle Doctrine

A law stating that a person's home is their castle and they can use force to defend it without duty to retreat.

Expungement

A legal process that erases or seals a criminal conviction from your record.

This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney.