{"id":374008,"date":"2018-07-02T11:49:09","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T16:49:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-perjury-laws-and-consequences.html"},"modified":"2018-07-02T16:43:53","modified_gmt":"2018-07-02T21:43:53","slug":"massachusetts-perjury-laws-and-consequences","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/massachusetts-law\/massachusetts-perjury-laws-and-consequences.html","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Perjury Laws and Consequences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Massachusetts Perjury Laws and Consequences<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\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

A crime against justice<\/a> doesn't inflict personal harm like an assault or damage belongings like property crimes. However, these crimes are still very harmful because they corrupt the judicial system and interfere with the administration of justice. Examples of crimes against justice include witness tampering, withholding evidence, and the offense of perjury<\/a> which involves making false statements or lying under oath.<\/p>\r\n

Acts that Constitute Perjury in Massachusetts<\/h2>\r\n

In Massachusetts, perjury is committed when an individual:<\/p>\r\n

1. Intentionally gives false testimony in a judicial proceeding; or<\/b>
\r\n2. Deliberately gives a false statement while they're under oath.<\/p>\r\n

Subornation of Perjury<\/h2>\r\n

If an individual incites or attempts to get another person to commit perjury, then they can be charged with subornation of perjury. A person can be guilty of this offense even if the other person didn't in fact commit perjury.<\/p>\r\n

Massachusetts Perjury Laws at a Glance<\/h2>\r\n

When you're researching the law (especially concerning criminal matters), time is of the essence and you don't want to waste energy trying to interpret lengthy legal text. That's why the following table has been designed to provide key items found in the statutes that comprise Massachusetts perjury laws and consequences.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

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

Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 268:<\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Elements of Perjury<\/b><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n

False Testimony<\/i><\/b><\/p>\r\n

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

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  • Mistake of fact<\/li>\r\n
  • Defendant believed that the statement was true.<\/li>\r\n
  • The statement was not false.<\/li>\r\n
  • The statement wasn't about a material issue.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>

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

Perjury committed while testifying at a capital trial<\/b> is punishable by any term of years or life imprisonment<\/p>\r\n

Perjury committed while testifying at a non-capital trial<\/b> is punishable by:<\/p>\r\n