PERJURY

July 18, 2008

. PERJURY:  I had to make a Statutory Declaration (declaration on oath)  but I was not sure about the facts and I might have put down things which were not quite correct. Could I get into trouble?

When you have a Statutory Declaration witnessed by a Justice of the Peace/Notary Public/Attorney, you are stating on oath that what you stated in the Statutory Declaration is the truth, the whole truth. You have to understand that the oath in a Statutory Declaration is pursuant to a State law – and has the force of law the same as if you were making a statement on oath in court. The Justice of the Peace/Notary Public just witnesses your signature and usually makes sure that you are who you claim to be. But the J.P. is not responsible as to whether or not what you included in the Statutory Declaration is true or not. If it is subsequently proven that what you stated on oath is not true – i.e. it is a lie, theoretically, you could be charged with perjury with a possible jail sentence of up to five years. Even if you were a former judge or a Federal politician and if you submit a Statutory Declaration/Notary Public/Attorney about a speed camera fine which is proven false, you could go to jail for up to five years if found guilty as charged.