Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) Practice Test

In legal terms, what does 'perjury' refer to?

1. Lying under oath

2. Failure to act

3. Threatening someone

4. Insufficient evidence

The correct answer is: Lying under oath

The term 'perjury' specifically refers to the act of lying under oath, which occurs when an individual knowingly provides false information while giving testimony in a legal setting, such as during a trial or deposition. This offense is considered a serious crime because it undermines the integrity of the judicial system, as it poses a threat to justice by potentially misleading the court and affecting the outcome of legal proceedings. Being under oath signifies that the individual has sworn to provide truthful testimony, making any intentional falsehood a violation of that sworn duty. The other options do not accurately capture the definition of perjury. Failure to act refers to negligence or inaction, threatening someone pertains to intimidation or coercion, and insufficient evidence indicates a lack of proof to support claims in a legal context. Thus, these do not align with the specific definition of perjury, which is exclusively about the act of providing false testimony while under an oath.