Legal Definitions - false swearing

False swearing, also known as perjury, is when a person deliberately makes false or misleading statements while under oath. This means that they are lying while promising to tell the truth.

For example, if a witness in a court case swears to tell the truth and then lies about what they saw, they are committing perjury. Another example is if someone lies on a sworn affidavit or in a deposition.

These examples illustrate how false swearing is a serious offense because it undermines the integrity of the legal system. When people lie under oath, it can lead to wrongful convictions or acquittals, and it can also harm innocent people.