Whenever you swear in a courtroom or attest with your signature that you are telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you are making more than just a polite promise. That oath is legally binding, and if you are accused of knowingly lying while under it, you may face criminal penalties, which can sometimes include substantial time in jail.
However, before an accusation of perjury can become a criminal conviction, there are processes that must be followed. A skilled defense attorney could help you to challenge this kind of accusation in court. So, if you are facing criminal charges for allegedly lying during a government proceeding or on a government document, you should make contacting a St. Petersburg perjury lawyer from Goldman Wetzel your number-one priority.
Chapter 837 of the Florida Statutes defines various ways in which someone can violate state law by intentionally providing a false statement to a government official or authority. Some of these are considered misdemeanor offenses and some are classified as felonies. If you make a false written statement intending to mislead a public servant in performing their duties, this is typically classed as misdemeanor perjury. This would also be the case if you made a false statement in any context other than an official proceeding.
However, if you commit perjury during an official proceeding, defined by FL Stat. §837.011(1) as any government proceeding that might need to be heard by a government entity that is authorized to take statements under oath, such as a criminal trial or family court hearing—you can be prosecuted with a third-degree felony in accordance with FL Stat. §837.02. Furthermore, if you commit perjury during an official proceeding that is related to the prosecution of any capital felony, this would be classed as a second-degree felony. A St. Petersburg attorney who specializes in untruthful statements can explain this to you in more detail during a confidential consultation.
There are four requirements that must all apply for you to be charged with perjury under Florida state law:
A court cannot lawfully convict you of perjury unless it can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that all four of these conditions apply to you. Accordingly, a perjury attorney in St. Petersburg may be able to build a defense strategy by proving that, for example, you did not know that what you were saying was false or that your statement was not relevant to any material matter.
Law enforcement authorities and court officials take allegations of perjury extremely seriously, and they tend to prosecute such charges very harshly. However, you still have important legal rights as a defendant facing an accusation of this nature. Our trustworthy legal representatives can help you with enforcing these rights and protecting your best interests in the process.
A St. Petersburg perjury lawyer can discuss your unique circumstances and offer preliminary guidance about next steps during a confidential consultation. Call Goldman Wetzel today to set up a meeting and start working on your defense.
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