Top Hinsdale, IL Perjury Lawyers Near You
If you are facing serious criminal charges, find a firm who is trial ready and has a track record of success. Call to work with Frank directly - he will build your defense.
25 years of experience. National award-winning. Phones answered 24/7.
Free Consultation
Experienced Criminal & Commercial Law Attorneys Recognized As Top Trial Lawyers. Using Common Sense & Innovative Technologies, We Welcome the Opportunity to Advocate on Your Behalf
Free Consultation
Call Peter. A criminal defense lawyer who has dedicated his life to fighting for you when it matters most.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
7356 N Cicero Ave, Lincolnwood, IL 60712
Other Nearby Offices
Law Offices of Azita M. Mojarad, P.C. helps Hinsdale clients with their Perjury needs.
Se Habla Español
240 E. Lake St., Suite 109A, Addison, IL 60101
Other Nearby Offices
The Law Offices of Charles Rohde & Pierina Infelise, P.C. has years of experience helping clients with their Perjury needs in Hinsdale, Illinois.
Se Habla Español
121 E. Liberty, Wauconda, IL 60084
If you need Perjury help in Illinois, contact Clay J. Mitchell, Attorney at Law, a local practice in Hinsdale, for legal representation.
100 North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606
120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60606
227 W Monroe St, Suite 3950, Chicago, IL 60606
1136 S Delano Ct, B201, Chicago, IL 60605
70 West Madison Street, Suite 5200, Chicago, IL 60602
155 North Wacker Drive, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60606
140 S Dearborn St, Suite 1020, Chicago, IL 60603
222 W Adams St, Suite 2250, Chicago, IL 60606
10750 W 143rd St, Suite 55, Orland Park, IL 60462
221 N LaSalle Street, Suite 2017, Chicago, IL 60601
555 Randall Rd, Suite 204, St. Charles, IL 60174
303 E Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601
150 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60606
58 North Chicago St, 7th Floor, Joliet, IL 60432
674 W. Veterans Parkway, Yorkville, IL 60560
47 Dupage Ct, Elgin, IL 60120
110 N Wacker Drive, Suite 3800, Chicago, IL 60606
9 S. County Street, Waukegan, IL 60085
100 N LaSalle St, Suite 812, Chicago, IL 60602
54 N Ottawa St, Suite 270, Joliet, IL 60432
17926 South Halsted Street, Suite 3SE, Homewood, IL 60430
55 West Monroe Street, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603
Hinsdale Perjury Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Perjury attorneys in Hinsdale and checks their standing with Illinois bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
The Crime of Perjury
Perjury is the willful act of swearing a false oath or falsifying an affirmation to tell the truth during an official proceeding. For example, when a witness fails to testify at a trial truthfully, they can be charged with perjury. The state you live in will determine the specific elements of perjury. Depending on the specifics of your case an attorney can help defend you against these charges.
What Is the Definition of Perjury?
Perjury can be a difficult offense to comprehend, as many common misconceptions exist surrounding the nature of the crime given its prevalence in popular culture. Generally, perjury refers to instances in which — while under authorized oath — a person offering testimony or being questioned knowingly and intentionally makes a materially false statement.
The definition of what constitutes a material falsehood versus an immaterial falsehood pertains to the case itself. For example, lying about a potential murder weapon (type, whereabouts, who was holding it) is likely to be material — or relevant — to the case. However, making a false statement about what one served to their pet cat that day is far less likely to be judged as a material element to a murder case in which an eyewitness is being called to testify.
What Is the Difference Between Lying and Perjury?
On a superficial level, it may seem like the act of lying and the act of committing perjury are one and the same, but from a legal standpoint, there are several differences.
While lying might be a commonplace practice among humans, the telling of a falsehood is not considered to be perjury in all instances where the person being questioned is not placed under oath by an authorized public official. Lying to your spouse about where you were last night is simply relaying a falsehood, but lying to a court prosecutor about where you were last night is likely to be an example of perjury — whether you are a key witness or a suspect yourself.
People tell lies of all shapes and sizes. However, in order to qualify as perjury, a lie must be relevant — or material — to the case on trial. This is another point of differentiation from a standard lie, which often has no bearing on any greater point of relevance.
Finally, lies of omission are exempt from categorization as perjury. Perjury concerns itself with what is said, what is subscribed to and what is authorized by the person being questioned — not with what the witness did not say.
How Is Perjury Proven?
For perjury to be proven, several elements must be in play. First, the statement must be materially false, as discussed above. Second, the offender committing perjury must have knowingly, and intentionally, misled the court while under oath.
This can make proving an instance of perjury very difficult. While a material falsehood may be easy enough to prove via cross-examination and presentation of evidence, proving that a witness knowingly and intentionally misled the court can be a much more challenging bar to clear. Collecting evidence — say, in the form of text messages or emails — can be useful in proving the guilt of a potential perjurer.
Is Perjury a Felony or a Misdemeanor?
Perjury is most frequently categorized as a felony at both the federal level as well as at the state level, but exceptions do exist.
For example, in the state of New York, perjury can be classified as a misdemeanor if the lie being made under oath is nonetheless judged immaterial or irrelevant to the case at hand. Otherwise, if the lie made under oath is judged material to the case at hand, you would likely face felony charges instead.
How Much Jail Time Can You Be Sentenced to if Found Guilty of Perjury?
If found guilty of perjury in federal court, the USC allows for a sentence of up to five years imprisonment.
State laws vary greatly in terms of their sentencing guidelines and requirements, but in broad terms, punishments are determined by the severity of the charges being laid, and whether or not they are categorized as misdemeanors or as felonies. In Texas, for example, simple perjury is considered a Class A misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of one year in county jail as well as a $4,000 fine. However, aggravated perjury is a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty of 10 years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.
Whether or not perjury is considered aggravated is determined by whether the falsehood made under oath is material to the case — the same reasoning applies in the state of New York as well as many other jurisdictions.
Have You Been Charged With Perjury?
If you have been charged with perjury, you are facing serious charges. A skilled perjury attorney is the first person you should contact about your case.