Perjury

The crime of intentionally lying under oath in a court proceeding or official document. In Minnesota, perjury is a felony.

Perjury occurs when a person intentionally makes a false statement while under oath or affirmation in a legal proceeding. This includes lying during court testimony, in a deposition, in an affidavit, or on any official document that requires a sworn statement.

In Minnesota, perjury is a felony under Minn. Stat. section 609.48, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The statement must be material – meaning it is relevant to the matter at hand – and the person must know it is false when they make it.

Why it matters: When you testify in court, sign an affidavit, or make any sworn statement, you are legally obligated to tell the truth. Making a false statement can result in criminal charges on top of whatever other legal issues you are facing.

Example: During a divorce proceeding, one spouse testifies under oath that they have no hidden bank accounts. Later, evidence reveals they transferred $50,000 to a secret account before filing for divorce. The spouse could face perjury charges for lying under oath.