Context drives the sentence
Perjury means knowingly making a false statement under oath, not misremembering or giving an imprecise answer. New York grades perjury in degrees, with the more serious forms generally tied to sworn testimony and to statements that matter to the proceeding. Federal perjury and false declaration charges are sentenced with reference to the federal guidelines, which can take into account the offense the false statement was connected to. Across systems, the sentence tends to reflect whether the statement actually affected a proceeding, what the person was trying to conceal, and whether others were harmed as a result. A false answer in a civil deposition about a side issue is usually viewed very differently from false testimony that kept a criminal case from moving forward.
Retraction and other early questions
New York recognizes a narrow defense for a person who retracts a false statement in the course of the same proceeding, but it comes with strict conditions about timing, and it should not be attempted without a lawyer's guidance. Federal law has a comparable recantation provision for certain false declarations. Beyond that, the questions are often whether the statement was actually false, whether the person knew it was false when it was made, and whether the question asked was clear enough to support a charge. Gather the transcript, any document you signed, and the record of the proceeding in which the statement was made, and let your lawyer obtain anything you do not have.
Consequences that reach further
A perjury conviction is a judgment about honesty, and it follows people into places a sentence does not. Lawyers, accountants, notaries, and many other licensed professionals can face serious discipline. A conviction of this kind can often be used to challenge a person's credibility if they testify again later. For noncitizens, crimes involving dishonesty can carry significant immigration consequences. In the first meeting we look at where the statement was made, whether it was under oath, what the charge alleges, and how any resolution would affect your work and status before anything is agreed.
