Can people go to prison if they commit perjury?
Yes, but prosecutions are rare. Prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt both that the witness’s statements were false, and that the witness knew they were false. Given the stake that litigants have in the outcome of their cases, it isn’t surprising that the remote threat of punishment hasn’t worked well to deter perjury. Exclusion or decisive impeachment of deceptive witnesses would supplement the deterrent effect of existing perjury statutes with direct, active prevention.
