Poll: Would you perjure yourself in court?

Question

As in lying under-oath, knowing that not only is lying morally wrong and detestable, but that to lie in court is actually illegal.

If no, why not?
If yes, what are your reasons? Or under what circumstances?

I'm kinda losing faith in people, and in justice in general.

I bet my friend that even so, all things considered, most people wouldn't lie in court. or that the numbers would come out 50-50.

♥*** I appreciate everyone's honesty. And taking the time to answer.
and there were some very interesting comments... among my favourites were:

skylur44: "... anyone who would risk jail for perjury has a scew loose."

grumpy: "... Lying only makes you less of a person, if i were a defendant, then i would most likely either plead out or I would take the 5th."

johndoe: "...We need to either tell the truth or refuse to speak."

johnssecretidentity: "I firmly believe that most of the people here claiming they never lie and never would are either lying here and now or they are deluding themselves."

northploesux: "...If members of Congress can, why can't I?"

redeemer: "No because that's illegal! Why would I set myself up for trouble?"

bossbrat: "No. You should always tell the truth when you are under oath to do so. In fact, you should ALWAYS tell the truth - period."

lovebird: "Nope. Too chicken." ((this one made me laugh!!))

I was hoping for more answers, to Poll, but i appreciate those that took the time.

HERE ARE THE FINAL RESULTS:

YES: 4

NO: 14

MAYBE: (depending on circumstances):
3

NO CONTEST: (no definite answer): 1

I was hoping for more answers, to Poll, but i appreciate those that took the time.

HERE ARE THE FINAL RESULTS:

YES: 4

NO: 14

MAYBE: (depending on circumstances):3

NO CONTEST: (no definite answer): 1

♥ *** My own answer would be: NO.

I never lie. Not only is lying wrong, as it is immature, and irresponsible, and breaks people's trust in you; but, to lie in court is illegal. While there may not be a penatly in life for dishonesty in general, there is definitely a penatly for lying in Court. At least in Court a persons integrity is weighed, and questioned, if not anywhere else. So, while most people can slide by in life being dishonest without any ramifications for their actions, at least in a Court of Law they are called into a state of accountability for their words, and actions.
It seems as though only Churches & Courts take lying as a serious offense.
Everywhere else it's counted as acceptable behaviour depending on the individuals reasoning for doing it.

Answer 1

Absolutely not! We have the right to speak, we have the right not to speak, but no where in the United States Constitution did the Founders grant to us a right to lie. Our society now allows too much leniency on liars. We need to either tell the truth or refuse to speak.

Answer 2

If I felt justified,I would in civil court but not in criminal; I would never risk a prison term. As to circumstances,if it's a good person who's being hassled by the feds over a law that I don't really support anyway or which in his case I read as a purely technical infraction,I'll lie for him,sure. I don't want Big Brother wrecking a man financially,or worse,just for some Asst. U.S. Attorney to rack up a score with his superiors.

Answer 3

There are a few people who would lie in court. I myelf would NOT lie. LYING only makes you less of a person. If I were a defendant, then I would most likely either plead out or I would take the 5th.

Answer 4

Yes I would. Oh, it would have to be for a darned good reason because I play by the rules for the most part. But I would have no problem doing it if I felt it was justified.

If, say, it would get a for-sure, beyond any reasonable doubt, there's no way he didn't do it, pedophile/murderer/rapist behind bars, you bet I would.

Or if it would protect someone I loved from being imprisoned for something they did that I felt was an accident or justified.

Answer 5

no i would not perjure myself.

the only way i would do it is if my family or myself was in direct danger from my testimony, kind of how stuff happens in mob movies or something. but i would more likely just omit certain facts than telling a straight up lie. i could always claim the ever so popular "i don't remember" but i would be so terrified while doing it, i'm not the lying kind

Answer 6

No. I hate it when people lie to me, and I understand how important it is not to lie. All though if one of my children were the one in court I probably would. Because i will support them to the end.

Answer 7

I firmly believe that most of the people here claiming they never lie and never would are either lying here and now or they are deluding themselves.

Answer 8

Nothing in the world is worth risking jail...nothing. So my answer is no. Anyone who would risk jail for perjury has a screw loose.

Answer 9

No. You should always tell the truth when you are under oath to do so. In fact, you should ALWAYS tell the truth - period.

Answer 10

No. First of all my face would give me away. I cannot lie. My face gives me away from joy to sadness to anger,I would be terrible at poker.Everyone can read my moods.