Perjury is a criminal offence consisting of knowingly making a false statement on oath in connection with any judicial proceeding. The false statement can be made in oral evidence or in writing. In New South Wales, perjury is governed by Section 327 of the Crimes Act and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. If the false statement is made in order to bring about a conviction or an acquittal, the maximum penalty is 14 years. The related charge of perverting the course of justice is governed by Section 319 and also carries a maximum penalty of 14 years. Perjury is a very serious offence as perjurious testimony is seen as posing a major threat to the judicial system. Instances of perjury must be dealt with severely in order to maintain the integrity of the courts and public faith in the judicial system. However, perjury can be difficult to prove and there is not always a public interest in prosecuting it. Get More Info on Perjury in New South Wales