Howard County Perjury Lawyer
The legal process can be intimidating. This is especially true if you are facing the prospect on testifying in court or are involved in one of the many other facets of the legal process. The legal process can stir up a mix of emotions, ranging from confusion to loyalty.
The combination of these emotions and the intimidating circumstances many people face when it comes to the legal system can lead to situations where statements made under oath are less than factual, or even less than truthful. When that happens, you could find yourself facing perjury charges and a Howard County perjury lawyer could be an important part of defending against those charges.
Everyone makes mistakes, but the consequences of perjury can have a significant impact on your life and livelihood. When facing perjury charges, you still have important rights that must be asserted and advocated for. An experienced criminal defense attorney could help you understand the basics of perjury charges and your rights when it comes to facing those charges.
Understanding Perjury
Many people have an idea of what perjury is and may connect it with lying. Under Maryland Criminal Code Title 9 Section 9-101, that is basically what perjury is: knowingly making a false statement under oath or in a legal affidavit. It can also include making contradictory statements in qualifying circumstances.
Under Section 9-102, perjury can also be subordinated. In other words, a person can be charged with perjury for instructing other individuals to lie on their behalf in the same situations that would qualify as perjury had the person undertaken the alleged actions themselves.
The key to perjury is that it must happen knowingly. Knowingly can be more difficult to prove in court than it may seem, and that difficulty can also lead to false accusations of perjury in situations where an individual has provided inaccurate or inconsistent responses.
Potential Consequences of Perjury Convictions
As with most criminal offenses, the exact sentencing for a conviction on perjury charges will depend on the specific circumstances surrounding the charges. The consequences of conviction could also be compounded if an individual is facing multiple charges or facing perjury charges along with related charges.
For the most part, perjury is charged and prosecuted as a misdemeanor. While misdemeanor convictions are less serious than a felony conviction, the can still create a criminal record that may follow a person for life. Both perjury or subordination of perjury can also result in imprisonment for up to 10 years. A Howard County perjury lawyer could help them understand more about the potential consequences for conviction.
Speaking with a Howard County Perjury Attorney
When it comes to facing perjury charges, the consequences of conviction can be significant. Whether the circumstances that have led to perjury charges were intentional or unintentional, it is important to vigorously defend against these charges. That involves taking a thorough and dynamic approach to applying important nuances in the state’s perjury laws to the circumstances of your charges in order to explore all of your options in defending against perjury charges.
If you are facing perjury charges, call today to find out more about how an experienced Howard County perjury lawyer could help you advocate for your rights so that you do not have to face these charges alone.