Explanation
If a witness makes a false statement in court, knowing it to be false, he or she commits the offence of perjury.
Perjury is a serious offence that involves lying under oath or making a false statement in a legal proceeding. It is considered a criminal offence because it undermines the integrity of the legal system and can lead to wrongful convictions or acquittals.
To prove perjury, the prosecution must establish that the witness made a false statement under oath or affirmation, that the statement was material to the case, and that the witness knew the statement to be false at the time it was made.
Perjury is punishable by imprisonment and fines, and in some cases, it can lead to disbarment or other professional sanctions for lawyers and other legal professionals.
