{"id":372782,"date":"2018-01-18T17:55:45","date_gmt":"2018-01-18T22:55:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-perjury-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-01-19T17:13:07","modified_gmt":"2018-01-19T22:13:07","slug":"georgia-perjury-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/georgia-law\/georgia-perjury-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Perjury Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Georgia 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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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

If Pinocchio taught us anything, it was that lying can affect your life in a negative way. Although lying is not typically illegal, there are circumstances where dishonesty is a criminal offense; perjury<\/a> and other related crimes are such examples. A person commits perjury when he or she intentionally lies under oath about a material issue. If you make a false statement under circumstances in which your testimony could be subpoenaed (an affidavit or affirmation, testimony at a trial, or a deposition), then you could be charged with perjury.<\/p>\n

False Swearing<\/h2>\n

If you make a false statement<\/a> under oath, you’re not only subject to the penalties associated with perjury, but if you also certify a statement that you know is false in a sworn written affidavit or affirmation, you could be charged with a false swearing as well. For example, if you sign verifications of your divorce pleadings and you sign them knowing that the information is untrue.<\/p>\n

Subornation of Perjury or False Statement<\/h2>\n

Another offense is subornation of perjury or false statement. This simply means that you have convinced another to commit perjury or to make a false statement. For example, if a man convinces his co-worker to provide a false alibi for him and the co-worker does commit perjury or makes a false statement based on the inducement, then the man could be charged under this offense.<\/p>\n

Georgia Perjury Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\n

The chart below provides a summary of laws related to perjury laws in Georgia, including links to important code sections.<\/p>\n\n

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

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

Perjury:<\/b><\/p>\n

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  • 1- 10 years imprisonment and\/ or a fine of up to $1,000.<\/li>\n
  • If you’re convicted of perjury that was the cause of another’s imprisonment, then your sentence is imprisonment, not to exceed the sentence of the crime for which the other person was convicted.<\/li>\n
  • If you’re convicted of perjury that causes another to be sentenced to death, then your sentence is life imprisonment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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

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    • Imprisonment for 1-5 years and\/or a fine up to $1,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Subornation of Perjury\/False Swearing:<\/b><\/p>\n

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      • 1-10 years imprisonment and\/or a fine up to $1,000.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

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