It may surprise you to learn that telling a lie under oath is considered one of the most serious charges you can face in the state of Indiana. Known as perjury, the consequences that follow a conviction for lying under oath could be life-altering. Understanding your rights and how perjury laws in Indiana work can help you better prepare your criminal defense strategy and potentially avoid some of the harsh penalties associated with a perjury conviction.
Being accused of lying under oath can hurt your reputation and lead people to question your integrity. Beyond that, you could be facing fines, jail time, and a criminal conviction on your record. Here is more about what Indiana law says about perjury and steps you can take to clear your name of the allegations against you.
Perjury Under IC 35-44.1-2-1
The statute that discusses perjury in Indiana can be found under IC 35-44.1-2-1. You can face these charges if you are accused of lying while under oath. Under Section 1(a), if you intentionally make a false statement under affirmation or oath, knowing the statement is not true, you can face criminal charges. You can be charged with perjury even if you were not sure but did not believe the statement was 100% accurate. You can also be charged if you make two or more inconsistent statements before a grand jury or the court.
However, that is not all the statute says. As described under Section 1(a)(2), your indictment for perjury does not need to specify which statement was false or intentionally inaccurate. As long as the falsity of your statement has been sufficiently established and demonstrates that you made contradictory statements that were material to the case in question, you could be tried for perjury.
Under Section 1(a), perjury is considered a level-six felony offense. If convicted, under IC 35-50-2-7, you could spend up to 2 1/2 years in an Indiana state prison and pay up to $10,000 in fines.
The Importance of Understanding IC 35-44.1-2-1
It is crucial that you understand how Indiana’s perjury statute works. Anytime you are speaking with investigators or law enforcement officials, it may be in your best interest to have a legal advocate with you so you know your rights in Indiana. You do not want to accidentally say something that could be self-incriminating or lead the police to believe that you have intentionally made a false statement, thus perjuring yourself.
Ultimately, if you are charged with perjury, understanding the elements of the charges against you can only help you build a powerful defense strategy if your case ultimately goes to trial.
What to Do if You Are Accused of Committing Perjury
You may be feeling overwhelmed if you have been accused of committing perjury. If you have been arrested and charged, the best thing you can do is remain silent until you get a criminal defender working on your case. With a strong defense strategy in place, you have an opportunity to potentially avoid the serious legal ramifications that come with a perjury conviction.
Keep your options open, and consider working out a plea with the district attorney. If you do not have a criminal record and the prosecutor can see that it does not serve you or the public to have you incarcerated, you may be able to avoid jail time altogether.