Offering False Evidence

California Penal Code §132

California Penal Code §132 makes it illegal to knowingly offer falsified documents during any investigation, trial, or legal proceeding. The best course of action is to always provide truthful, unaltered documents when providing official documentation to any public officer.

Preparing such falsified documents is a separate felony under California Penal Code §134.

The key to §132 is that the falsified documents are submitted knowingly, that is, you must have known that the document has incorrect information, signature, etc. If you submitted documents believing them to be accurate, this may be offered as a defense to the charge.

§132 Every person who upon any trial, proceeding, inquiry, or investigation whatever, authorized or permitted by law, offers in evidence, as genuine or true, any book, paper, document, record, or other instrument in writing, knowing the same to have been forged or fraudulently altered or ante-dated, is guilty of felony.

For example:

• Providing fake receipts as evidence in court
• Offering a falsified contract with an incorrect date the contract was signed

California Penal Code §132 is penalized as a felony.

Law Offices of Michael P. Kade, APLC. can help with any civil litigation or criminal defense matter.