Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last reviewed July 23, 2018
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Specific crimes usually fall under a general category of crimes. For example, kidnapping and aggravated assault fall under the general category of "crimes against the person," while theft and vandalism generally fall under "property crimes." Another category that certain crimes fall under is "crimes against justice," which involve crimes that prevent the justice system from performing in the way it's supposed to perform. Examples of these type of crimes include criminal contempt of court and perjury. While each state has its own specific definition, the basic definition of perjury is lying under oath.
Reading the literal language of a law should always be part of legal research. Unfortunately, this can be a difficult and time-consuming task since most laws are written in legal jargon that can take time to interpret and understand. For this reason, including a step involving reading an overview of the law written in plain English can be incredibly helpful. The following chart provides an overview of Indiana perjury laws as well as links to relevant statutes.
| Statute(s) | Indiana Code, Title 35, Article 44.1, Chapter 2, Section 35-44.1-2-1 (Perjury) |
| Definition of Perjury | A person commits perjury in Indiana by:
*For prosecution under this subsection, the indictment or information doesn't need to specify which statement is false and the falsity of a statement can be established by proof that the defendant made irreconcilably contradictory statements that are material to the point in question. |
| Charges and Penalties | Violation of Indiana perjury laws is a Level 6 felony punishable by imprisonment for six months to two and a half years and a fine of up to $10,000. |
| Related Statute(s) | Indiana Code, Title 35, Article 44.1, Chapter 2:
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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A perjury conviction can have various negative impacts on your life, which can include imprisonment, but it can also impact your reputation and career as it's a crime that goes to questions of honesty. If you've been charged with perjury or are preparing to make statements under oath, it's in your best interest to get in touch with an experienced criminal defense lawyer near you to find out how Indiana perjury laws apply to your situation how you can best protect yourself.
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