Perjury is a word often used when referring to a false testimony, but there are several aspects of perjury that many people are not aware of. If someone falsifies a testimony during a trial for which you are convicted, you cannot sue them. A person is protected under the law, immune from liability, when they testify. This applies to false confessions and testimonies.

A person can be charged with perjury if the prosecution finds inconsistencies in a testimony or statement made under oath. This usually happens when someone provides an affidavit prior to trial that differs from their testimony. Perjury is often very difficult to prove because perjury is considered a crime of intent. The other issue is the fact that sometimes a person incorrectly recalls an event or forgets the details after a period of time. In such instances a person cannot be held liable for perjury, because the intent is not there.

False statements that have a negative impact on court proceedings are the only statements that qualify as perjury. This means that the person testifying is trying to hamper an investigation or outcome, and that the person committing perjury is material to the case. When someone is being prosecuted for perjury, it must be shown that the person is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.