Arizona has two separate crimes for lying under oath, and defendants often assume they’re the same thing, but that isn’t the case. Perjury and false swearing are distinct offenses with different requirements and different penalties, and the difference between them can mean the difference between a Class 4 and a Class 6 felony.
What Is Perjury Under Arizona Law?
Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2702 defines perjury as knowingly making a false sworn statement about a material issue, or a false unsworn declaration, certificate, verification, or statement about a material issue that is signed as true under penalty of perjury.
Continue Reading Perjury vs. False Swearing: What’s the Difference?