Our firm served as lead counsel to a former U.S. Congressman charged with perjury while testifying before a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia, Atlanta Division. The former congressman allegedly committed perjury when he appeared before the grand jury and provided testimony asserted to be false about his dealings with an undercover agent and what was told to the agent about the Congressman’s knowledge of possible money laundering violations.
Like any other federal violation, perjury has a distinct legal definition which requires that the person allegedly committing such a crime has been placed under oath and that the witness providing such sworn testimony thereafter makes false statements that he/she knew were false at the time. An innocent mistake cannot serve the basis for a perjury prosecution. But, knowingly and willfully providing false testimony before a federal tribunal can be the basis of a federal perjury prosecution.
All cases are factually specific as was the case involving the former congressman described above. Before any witness provides testimony under oath in a federal proceeding, the witness should be aware of the penalties of providing such testimony. Those who get caught up in prosecutions for perjury are facing serious felony charges which can have lifetime consequences. Although such charges are not all that frequent in federal court, when they are brought however, the person accused of perjury needs to be represented by experienced counsel. The lawyers at Finch McCranie LLP have experience representing people accused of perjury and bringing their case to the best possible resolution. If you have been accused of perjury, please contact us today to discuss your case.