Perjury in Maryland: Understanding the Law and Your Defense Options

Facing a perjury charge in Maryland can be overwhelming. As a crime involving accusations of intentionally lying under oath, perjury not only risks significant penalties but can also permanently damage your reputation. This article explains the details of Maryland's perjury law, the evidentiary standards used in prosecution, and how the experienced defense attorneys at FrizWoods can help.

What is Perjury Under Maryland Law?

In Maryland, perjury is defined under Md. Code Ann., Criminal Law Section 9-101 as intentionally making a false statement or affirmation about a material fact while under oath or affirmation. A statement is considered "material" if it could impact the outcome or decisions made in a judicial or official proceeding.

Common situations that may lead to perjury charges include:

Providing false testimony in court.
Making intentionally false statements in affidavits or sworn statements to government officials.
Falsely testifying in depositions or hearings.

Potential Penalties for Perjury

Despite being categorized as a misdemeanor, perjury is treated seriously in Maryland. Potential consequences include:

Imprisonment for up to 10 years
A permanent criminal record impacting employment, professional licenses, and credibility in future legal proceedings.

Because perjury charges strike directly at a person's honesty and integrity, it's critical to mount a strong defense.

Facing related charges such as Obstruction of Justice or Misconduct in Office? Learn how FrizWoods handles these allegations.

Maryland's Two-Witness Rule Explained

A unique aspect of Maryland perjury law is the two-witness rule, recently reaffirmed by Maryland's highest court in the landmark case O'Sullivan v. State (2021).

Under this rule, when prosecutors rely on witness testimony to establish perjury, they must provide:

Direct testimony from two separate witnesses who contradict the accused's sworn statement, or
Testimony from one witness plus independent corroborative evidence (such as documents, surveillance footage, or physical evidence) that substantiates the testimony and demonstrates falsity.

This rule ensures convictions are not based solely on one individual's potentially biased testimony. As reaffirmed in O'Sullivan, this high standard protects defendants against wrongful convictions based on mere "oath against oath" scenarios.

Recent Maryland Case Example: O'Sullivan v. State (2021)

In O'Sullivan, a Baltimore police officer was convicted of perjury after falsely testifying that he witnessed a suspect discard a handgun. Key takeaways from the decision include:

The Maryland Court of Appeals confirmed that video footage effectively corroborated witness testimony, satisfying the two-witness rule.
The conviction reinforced that proving intentional falsity does not necessarily require two eyewitnesses if strong corroborating evidence exists.

This case underscores the importance of understanding the evidentiary standards for perjury cases and developing a targeted defense.

Building a Strong Defense Against Perjury Charges

An effective perjury defense may involve challenging key aspects of the State's case, including:

Whether the statement in question was genuinely false or merely mistaken.
The presence of actual intent to deceive (prosecutors must prove statements were knowingly and intentionally false).
Weaknesses or inconsistencies in witness testimony or alleged corroborative evidence.

The defense attorneys at FrizWoods specialize in scrutinizing evidence, exposing inconsistencies, and presenting compelling arguments to judges and juries.

Why Trust FrizWoods with Your Perjury Defense?

The stakes in perjury cases are high. FrizWoods attorneys are experienced litigators who understand Maryland's complex evidentiary rules and have a proven record of success in criminal defense. When your credibility and freedom are at risk, you need representation committed to your case and capable of mounting an aggressive defense.

At FrizWoods, we also handle related charges, including:

Reach out today to discuss your case in a confidential consultation.

Contact FrizWoods Today

Don't risk your freedom or reputation by navigating perjury charges alone. Contact FrizWoods immediately to schedule a consultation and begin crafting your defense.

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