Florida criminal charge
Perjury by contradictory statements in Florida
Perjury by contradictory statements is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 837.021. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 837.021.
What is the penalty for perjury by contradictory statements in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Perjury by contradictory statements — general official proceedings — Applies when a person, in one or more official proceedings not related to a capital felony prosecution, willfully makes two or more material statements under oath that contradict each other.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Perjury by contradictory statements — general official proceedings — Applies when a person, in one or more official proceedings not related to a capital felony prosecution, willfully makes two or more material statements under oath that contradict each other.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 15 years (Perjury by contradictory statements — capital felony prosecution proceedings — Applies when a person, in one or more official proceedings relating to the prosecution of a capital felony, willfully makes two or more material statements under oath that contradict each other.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $10,000 (Perjury by contradictory statements — capital felony prosecution proceedings — Applies when a person, in one or more official proceedings relating to the prosecution of a capital felony, willfully makes two or more material statements under oath that contradict each other.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is perjury by contradictory statements classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perjury by contradictory statements — general official proceedings | Felony of the Third Degree | Applies when a person, in one or more official proceedings not related to a capital felony prosecution, willfully makes two or more material statements under oath that contradict each other. | Fla. Stat. § 837.021(1) |
| Perjury by contradictory statements — capital felony prosecution proceedings | Felony of the Second Degree | Applies when a person, in one or more official proceedings relating to the prosecution of a capital felony, willfully makes two or more material statements under oath that contradict each other. | Fla. Stat. § 837.021(2) |
Common questions about perjury by contradictory statements in Florida
Is perjury by contradictory statements a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: perjury by contradictory statements ranges from a Felony of the Third Degree to a Felony of the Second Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 837.021.
Perjury by contradictory statements — general official proceedings: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.021(1)) · Perjury by contradictory statements — capital felony prosecution proceedings: Felony of the Second Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.021(2))
What are the penalties for perjury by contradictory statements in Florida?
Penalties for perjury by contradictory statements in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Felony of the Third Degree up to a Felony of the Second Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers perjury by contradictory statements?
Perjury by contradictory statements is governed by Fla. Stat. § 837.021 (Perjury by contradictory statements).
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.