I don't see many perjury charges under California Penal Code 118 PC. Usually, I see perjury when people are doing sneaky stuff at the DMV—signing documents under penalty of perjury—the DMV catches them, they're trying to get fake information, whatever the case may be, and then end up getting charged with perjury and set into one of the Los Angeles criminal courts.
Another area where I see perjury is in insurance fraud cases where people are trying to trick or cheat their insurance company out of money somehow — whether it's a fake accident or some fake claim — and they end up giving a statement under penalty of perjury and getting prosecuted for the offense of perjury.
It's important to note that cases where the government claims someone lied on the witness stand, leading to a perjury charge, are not common occurrences. They are rare and significant events in the legal landscape.
It happens, but it just doesn't happen that often. You have to nail somebody because usually, the person who's testifying and gets caught lying is one of the government's witnesses.
Hence, they tend to let those types of situations slide unless it's a direct catch, where it's so blatantly clear that they're lying and making up false allegations against somebody; the government then becomes angry, feels terrible for the person they prosecuted, dismisses the case, and charges the offending party with perjury.
Again, you don't see it that often because you usually only catch them lying at one point. It's not the whole case for the government, and there's an argument that they're not lying. They've got some stupid excuse why they're not lying and why they're telling the truth.
Perjury is a Straight Felony
Being charged with perjury is a serious matter as it is a straight felony. There's no such thing as misdemeanor perjury. If convicted, you could potentially face prison or jail time. A perjury charge on your criminal record can have severe implications when you're seeking employment or making career moves.
If you or a loved one is facing perjury charges, it's crucial to seek legal advice. A seasoned criminal defense lawyer like myself can help you understand the government's case against you, discuss the evidence for the perjury charge, and guide you through the legal process, from the initial arrest to a potential trial. Don't hesitate to reach out for help.
One of the first things we need to do in evaluating a criminal case is determine whether the government, that is, the prosecutors, can prove the case against you.
If they can, then we're going to want to think about some resolution, a plead negotiation, or getting character letters showing that whatever conduct is an aberration so we can convince the prosecutors not to put you in jail—not to ruin your good name and your criminal record. We'll also discuss potential legal strategies, such as plea negotiations or character references, to help you understand your options.
If, on the other hand, you are innocent and will take the case to trial, we need to put the pieces in place to do that. We need to do the investigation, gather the evidence, and be ready for a potential trial.
When it's a trial for perjury charges, we want to be ready because if you are convicted, you may be taken into custody immediately after the guilty verdict.
You'll be looking at jail time or even prison time, depending on the circumstances surrounding the perjury charges—who the judge is, who the prosecutor is, what your criminal record looks like, and a host of other factors that can only be determined by sitting down, talking about your case, and putting together a strategy right from the beginning.
We'll delve into the potential consequences of a guilty verdict in more detail. It's crucial that you understand the gravity of the situation and the importance of a strong defense.
As a criminal defense lawyer with twenty-five years of experience, I understand the importance of developing a strong defense strategy from the beginning.
This strategy dictates every move in the case, from who you talk to, to the type of investigation you conduct, to how you deal with the prosecutor and the Judge. If you're charged with perjury anywhere in Los Angeles County, I can help you navigate this complex legal process.
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