Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A Sec. 452 – False swearing
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1. A person is guilty of false swearing if:
A. The person makes a false statement under oath or affirmation or swears or affirms the truth of such a statement previously made and the person does not believe the statement to be true, provided
(1) the falsification occurs in an official proceeding as defined in section 451, subsection 5, paragraph A, or is made with the intention to mislead a public servant performing the public servant’s official duties; or
(2) the statement is one which is required by law to be sworn or affirmed before a notary or other person authorized to administer oaths; or [RR 2009, c. 2, §38 (COR).]
B. The person makes inconsistent statements under oath or affirmation, both within the period of limitations, one of which is false and not believed by the person to be true. In a prosecution under this subsection, it need not be alleged or proved which of the statements is false, but only that one or the other was false and not believed by the defendant to be true. [RR 2009, c. 2, §38 (COR).]
[RR 2009, c. 2, §38 (COR).]
Attorney's Note
Under the Maine Revised Statutes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Class D crime | up to 1 year | up to $2,000 |
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 17-A Sec. 452
- Affirmed: In the practice of the appellate courts, the decree or order is declared valid and will stand as rendered in the lower court.
- Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
- Oath: includes an affirmation, when affirmation is allowed. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 1 Sec. 72
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
2. It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that, when made in an official proceeding, the defendant retracted the falsification in the course of such proceeding before it became manifest that the falsification was or would have been exposed.
[PL 1981, c. 317, §14 (AMD).]
2-A. In a prosecution under subsection 1, paragraph A, evidence that the allegedly false testimony or statement in the prior official proceeding or before a notary or other person authorized to administer oaths was contradicted by evidence in that proceeding may not be a sufficient basis by itself to sustain a conviction for false swearing.
[PL 1983, c. 450, §3 (AMD).]
3. It is not a defense to prosecution under this section that the oath or affirmation was administered or taken in an irregular manner or that the declarant was not a competent witness in making the statement or was disqualified from doing so. A document purporting to be made upon oaths or affirmation at any time when the actor presents it as being so verified shall be deemed to have been duly sworn or affirmed.
[PL 1975, c. 740, §63 (AMD).]
4. False swearing is a Class D crime.
[PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1975, c. 499, §1 (NEW). PL 1975, c. 740, §63 (AMD). PL 1979, c. 512, §28 (AMD). PL 1981, c. 317, §§14,15 (AMD). PL 1983, c. 450, §3 (AMD). RR 2009, c. 2, §38 (COR).