Minnesota Perjury Laws
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated September 11, 2018
If a party lies under oath or makes a false statement, they have committed the criminal offense of perjury. Anyone that must rely on the testimony of another person in a criminal or civil case realizes how important it is for the individual to tell the truth under these circumstances. Otherwise, the judicial system loses credibility and can't function the way it was intended. That's one of the reasons why perjury is considered a crime against justice and taken so seriously.
A Summary of Minnesota Perjury Laws
When conducting legal research, you should make sure that you comprehend all the information in the statutes. Since statutes are often lengthy and written in legalese, it's helpful to read a plain language version of the content. The chart below is an example of this: a short summary of Minnesota's perjury laws.
Statutes |
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Elements of the Crime
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Perjury: Anyone who makes a false statement not believing it to be true in any of the following cases is guilty of perjury:
Inconsistent Statements: When the declarant has made two inconsistent statements under circumstances where one or the other must be false (and not believed by the declarant), it's sufficient proof for a perjury conviction without determining which statement was false. |
Possible Penalties and Sentencing |
If the false statement was made in relation to a trial of a felony charge or upon an application for an explosives license or use permit, perjury is punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment, fines up to $14,000, or both. All other cases of perjury are punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, fines up to $10,000, or both. |
Defenses |
Possible Defenses:
Defenses That Cannot Be Used:
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Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Minnesota Perjury Laws: Related Resources
Learn the Truth about Perjury Law from a Minnesota Attorney
Violating Minnesota's perjury laws shouldn't be taken lightly. A conviction can result in serious jail time. If you or someone you know needs information about available defenses or strategies talk to a criminal defense attorney near you, right away.
Next Steps: Search for a Local Attorney
Contact a qualified attorney.