If someone is accused of perjury, what are they being accused of?

When someone is accused of perjury, it means they are being charged with the act of deliberately providing false information while under oath, typically in a court setting. Perjury is a serious offense because it undermines the integrity of the legal process, as the truthfulness of witness testimony is fundamental to ensuring justice. The act of providing false information can lead to wrongful convictions or the dismissal of legitimate claims, which is why it is treated so seriously in law.

Deliberate misinformation is at the heart of the definition of perjury, as it directly relates to the intentional act of lying when one is legally bound to speak the truth. This accusation highlights the importance of honesty in legal proceedings and the potential consequences of dishonesty.