Final answer:
The intentional making of a false statement as part of the testimony by a sworn witness in a judicial proceeding is called perjury. Perjury is considered a serious offence and is punishable by law. It undermines the integrity of the judicial system and can lead to miscarriages of justice.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intentional making of a false statement as part of the testimony by a sworn witness in a judicial proceeding is called perjury. Perjury is considered a serious offense and is punishable by law in many jurisdictions. It undermines the integrity of the judicial system and can lead to miscarriages of justice.
Perjury typically occurs when a witness knowingly provides false information or lies under oath. This can happen during trials, depositions, or other legal proceedings where witnesses are required to give sworn statements. The purpose of perjury laws is to deter witnesses from giving false testimony and to maintain the credibility and reliability of witnesses in court.
For example, if a witness in a criminal trial falsely claims to have seen the defendant commit the crime, they would be committing perjury. Similarly, if a witness in a civil lawsuit lies about their knowledge of a particular event to benefit one party, they would also be guilty of perjury.