{"id":371999,"date":"2018-09-26T09:28:38","date_gmt":"2018-09-26T14:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-perjury-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-09-26T11:32:28","modified_gmt":"2018-09-26T16:32:28","slug":"colorado-perjury-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/colorado-law\/colorado-perjury-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Colorado Perjury Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Colorado Perjury Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Making a false statement<\/a> or lying under oath can get you into a lot of trouble with the law. You can be charged with perjury<\/a>, which is a very serious crime against justice. Perjury is considered especially offensive because the offender has a disregard for facts which can threaten the very integrity of the legal system.<\/p>\r\n

Despite the similarity in perjury laws across the country, each jurisdiction addresses the crime differently. Colorado recognizes only two forms of perjury: perjury in the first degree<\/i> and perjury in the second degree<\/i>. The state also criminalizes "false swearing," a similar but lesser charge.<\/p>\r\n

Colorado Perjury Laws Overview<\/h2>\r\n

Although Colorado’s statutes addressing perjury aren’t as lengthy or complex as statutes in other states, it’s still useful to unpack the law further using simple, everyday terms. Read on for an overview of Colorado’s perjury laws.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

Colorado Revised Statutes:<\/p>\r\n

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Elements of the Crime<\/b><\/p>\r\n

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Perjury in the First Degree:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

A person commits this crime by knowingly making a materially false statement, not believing it to be true while under oath or authorized by law.<\/p>\r\n

Note<\/i>: Knowledge of the materiality of the statement is not<\/i><\/b> an element of the crime.<\/p>\r\n

Perjury in the Second Degree:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

A person commits this crime by making a materially false statement with the intent to mislead a public servant in performance of their duties, not believing it to be true while under oath or authorized by law.<\/p>\r\n

False Swearing:<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

A person commits this crime by intentionally making a materially false statement (not under the circumstances for the first and second-degree perjury laws), not believing it to be true while under oath or authorized by law.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Possible Penalties and Sentencing<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

First Degree:<\/i><\/b> Class 4 felony, punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 6 years, fines up to $500,000.<\/p>\r\n

Second Degree:<\/i><\/b> Class 1 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 18 months in county jail, fines up to $5,000.<\/p>\r\n

False Swearing:<\/i><\/b> Class 1 petty offense, punishable by up to 6 months in county jail, fines up to $500.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

Possible Defenses<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n