Lakeport >> When a witness testifies in a court of law or submits declarations to the court it is always submitted under the penalty of perjury.
“Unfortunately, it is far too often the testimony given is intentionally not the truth. Lying to the court and juries are common place events that undermine the integrity of the judicial system,” Lake County District Attorney (DA) Don Anderson stated.
In order to combat this problem the DA’s office has implemented a Judicial Integrity Unit consisting of a deputy district attorney and investigators. This specialized unit will actively seek out and prosecute cases involving perjury in our court system.
Perjury frequently occurs in different types of cases, whether it is criminal, civil or family law, Anderson said. Criminal prosecution for perjury will be brought by the DA in any type case before any tribunal. It is anticipated a large volume of cases will be in the family law context such as divorce, restraining orders and custody proceedings.
The court and residents of this county should be able to assume that when a person is testifying under oath, the content of that testimony is truthful to the best of that witness’s knowledge, Anderson said.
“If it is not the truth, then there could be serious ramifications for the witness’s lies,” he added. The penalty for perjury or subornation of perjury can carry a prison sentence of two to four years.
The DA is seeking referral from citizens and attorneys who have knowledge that a perjury has occurred. Currently, the DA’s office is investigating several cases of perjury in both criminal and family law matters. It is expected that arrest warrants will soon be issued in these cases.
