Perjury is lying in court while under oath, or deceiving the court or its officials. If you are charged with perjury, you need the immediate help of an experienced Florence perjury lawyer.
We, the experienced, aggressive criminal defense attorneys at Busald Funk Zevely, are ready to fight ferociously on your behalf. Your perjury charges may be entirely false. Or they could stem from a simple, honest error made on your behalf, or an error within the court system. Regardless of how these perjury charges were born, we will fight tirelessly to get you the great results you deserve.
Fighting Perjury Charges
Courts and officials expect honesty, and rightly so. Therefore, eyewitnesses giving testimony in a courtroom setting should only discuss events they witnessed in person. And individuals who provide letters or other documents to the court should provide genuine, unedited paperwork.
Sometimes, a defendant or witness might accidentally perjure themselves—that is, commit perjury—through a simple error, such as stating an incorrect date or time of an event.
Then again, courtroom stenographers, the people recording proceedings in court, may make a simple typing error.
One of the most troubling forms of perjury arises when law enforcement or other officials pressure a witness to exaggerate their account with false details or invent information to fill gaps in their knowledge. A perjury lawyer in Florence may be able to challenge these practices and evaluate whether improper influence affected the case.
What are the Penalties for Perjury?
Perjury charges are serious and may carry significant penalties. If convicted of first-degree perjury, one can expect to spend one to five years in prison and face fines up to $10,000.
Other Life-Altering Effects of a Perjury Conviction
First-degree perjury is a Class D felony. Individuals with a felony conviction on their record will find themselves dealing with long-term effects, such as:
- Child custody challenges
- Difficulty buying firearms
- Difficulty securing safe housing
- Future negative perception from law enforcement and courts
- Employment challenges and difficulty gaining professional licenses
Felons live with a stigma that can damage their relationships for the rest of their lives, and this is why one should contact an experienced Florence perjury attorney as soon as they learn of these charges.
What to Do When Charged with Perjury
Law enforcement can and will physically arrest people charged with perjury. Once arrested, individuals suspected of perjury will be booked into jail, fingerprinted, and photographed. Depending on the circumstances, a court date will be set. For most people, a bail arrangement is usually available.
Every Florence perjury lawyer tells their clients to remain silent, calm, and professional when dealing with law enforcement. Do not speak to detectives or officers without an attorney present. Even though these charges can create emotional upheavals for a person and their family, defendants must do their best to remain calm and collected throughout the process.
Call a Florence Perjury Lawyer Today for Help With Your Case
Call a Florence perjury lawyer immediately if you have been charged with perjury or believe it could happen soon.
Our seasoned perjury attorneys at Busald Funk Zevely have helped many clients in your position, and we will fight tirelessly for you and your family. We will do our best to have charges dismissed or negotiate them down to a lesser charge when appropriate.
Contact us today for a free consultation.