Silver Spring, MD asked in Criminal Law for Maryland

Q: Would having someone else write an statement and you agree to what’s written...be perjury!

If my sons father has his wife complete the protective order for him statement and all and he signs it would I be able to get the order dismissed to perjury him saying he completed the form when it’s two different hand writings?

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Rockville, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: No. Who wrote the statement is not relevant. So long as he signed the petition and made oath or affirmation the the statements were true, the petition is not invalid. Of course, you can cross-examine him about those written statements not being his, and therefore represent his wife’s eye-witness observations and not his, which would be a basis to object to the statements as hearsay. However, if he testifies that he witnessed the same events described in the statements his wife wrote, and adopts them as his own, then the hearsay objection will be overruled. You need to focus on the substance of the allegations, not technical defects.

Eric Todd Kirk
Eric Todd Kirk pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Baltimore, MD
  • Licensed in Maryland

A: Asking someone to complete a writing for you is not impermissible conduct. The contents of the writing do matter. If he swore under oath that the contents of the writing are true and accurate, and that turns out not to be the case, there could be repercussions.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.