Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 1623: False declarations before grand jury or court

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Making knowingly false material statements under oath or penalty of perjury in federal court or grand jury proceedings is a federal crime punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment (or 10 years for FISA court proceedings).

Read the full statutory text
Whoever under oath (or in any declaration, certificate, verification, or statement under penalty of perjury as permitted under section 1746 of title 28 , United States Code) in any proceeding before or ancillary to any court or grand jury of the United States knowingly makes any false material declaration or makes or uses any other information, including any book, paper, document, record, recording, or other material, knowing the same to contain any false material declaration, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years or, if such proceedings are before or ancillary to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court or the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review established by section 103 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 ( 50 U.S.C. 1803 ), imprisoned not more than ten years, or both. This section is applicable whether the conduct occurred within or without the United States. each declaration was material to the point in question, and each declaration was made within the period of the statute of limitations for the offense charged under this section. Where, in the same continuous court or grand jury proceeding in which a declaration is made, the person making the declaration admits such declaration to be false, such admission shall bar prosecution under this section if, at the time the admission is made, the declaration has not substantially affected the proceeding, or it has not become manifest that such falsity has been or will be exposed. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt under this section is sufficient for conviction. It shall not be necessary that such proof be made by any particular number of witnesses or by documentary or other type of evidence.

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.