It is also possible to correct perjury while on the stand. A witness may choose to recant false testimony before he or she steps down. This person may be charged with contempt of court or similar crimes so that he or she can be punished for wasting the time of the court, but the individual cannot be charged with perjury. Someone can also be charged with subornation of perjury, should she or he choose to incite someone else to give false testimony. Many justice systems operate on the simple basis that people in court are bound to tell the truth about the events in question. People who do not testify truthfully put their legal systems at risk by flouting common decency and the law. Because the crime is so serious, accusations of perjury are taken very seriously by judges and legal professionals. A single case in a trial can cause the whole trial to be thrown out. American witnesses who feel that they cannot testify about something in particular may always choose to plead the Fifth Amendment, if they feel that the testimony may be self-incriminating.
Posted on: Sat, 08 Jun 2013 19:29:29 +0000
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