What is the penalty for lying under oath in the state of Iowa?

Answer 1

Lying under oath, or "perjury", carries civil and criminal sanctions. As a civil issue, it is a contempt of the Court, and the judge can give you time in jail, a fine, or both. As a criminal offense, perjury can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on whether or not it's "aggravated". Perjury is said to be "aggravated" if it directly relates to the issue on trial. For example, if you are a witness in a murder trial and you tell the Court you are 25 years old, when really you are 26 years old, you have committed perjury (misdemeanor). If, however, in the same murder trial you tell the Court you saw the accused hack the victim to bits with a machete, but in reality you just saw two people fighting in a dark alley but couldn't tell who it was, you have committed an aggravated perjury (felony).

Answer 2

It depends on the situation, the circumstances and the seriousness of the situation.