California Private Investigator Practice Exam

What is the term used for making a false testimony under oath?

1. Fraud

2. Perjury

3. Conspiracy

4. Defamation

The correct answer is: Perjury

The term for making a false testimony under oath is perjury. Perjury is a criminal offense that occurs when an individual knowingly makes a false statement while under oath, typically in a legal setting such as a courtroom or during a sworn deposition. The integrity of the legal process relies heavily on truthful testimony, so perjury is taken seriously and can lead to severe legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment. Understanding perjury is crucial for private investigators and legal professionals, as they may come across cases where false testimony can undermine the reliability of evidence and the overall pursuit of justice. The other terms listed refer to different concepts: fraud involves deceit for personal gain, conspiracy refers to an agreement between two or more parties to commit an illegal act, and defamation pertains to making false statements that damage someone's reputation. Each of these has its own implications and legal definitions, but none specifically addresses the act of providing false testimony under oath as perjury does.