CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Offering or Preparing False Evidence

Falsifying Evidence in California: A Serious Crime

Falsifying evidence is a crime taken very seriously in the United States, and California is no exception. Unfortunately, some individuals still underestimate the potential legal repercussions and continue to produce or prepare fake evidence. In California, falsifying evidence is considered obstruction of justice and is punishable by law. Penal Code 132 PC is the statute associated with offering or preparing false evidence for legal proceedings.

Penal Code 132 PC states that it is a felony to knowingly present false written evidence in any legal proceeding. Even if the evidence is not presented in court, preparing false evidence for a legal proceeding is still considered a crime under Penal Code 134 PC. It’s essential to note that the seriousness of the evidence you falsify does not affect the penalty you may receive. In other words, a traffic ticket and a murder case carry equal weight under California law. Anyone convicted of falsifying evidence may face a sentence of up to three years in state prison.

Since the charges related to preparing false evidence are so complex, it’s to hire an experienced attorney to assist you with your case. There are several nuances to being convicted for offering or preparing false evidence that could affect your case. You need to have known that the evidence you presented was false to be convicted under Penal Code 132 PC. On the other hand, to receive a Penal Code 134 PC conviction, a prosecutor must demonstrate that you intended to have the false evidence presented in a legal proceeding as factual and you intended to deceive or mislead any given person in the proceeding. Given that prosecutors must prove these circumstances in court, it’s wise to have an attorney by your side to help you fight these charges.

Our law firm specializes in cases that involve offering and/or preparing false evidence. We understand that each case is unique and requires an individualized approach. Our associate attorneys provide a confidential consultation in which we discuss the possible legal theories related to your case. By doing so, we are better equipped to decide whether our firm can provide you with zealous and ethical representation on your upcoming legal matter. Rest assured that, if we decide to take on your case, we would provide you with a specific price in a retainer agreement to avoid any surprises. This agreement will enable us to assist you throughout every stage of your upcoming legal process.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to us today regarding your legal matter. We are eager to help you develop a strong defense and protect your legal rights.

Table 1. Key Points on Falsifying Evidence in California

| — | — |
| False evidence is a crime in California |
| Penal Code 132 PC deals with presenting false written evidence |
| Penal Code 134 PC makes it a crime to prepare false evidence, even if it doesn’t get presented in court |
| A felony conviction could result in three years in state prison |

Table 2. Differences between Penal Code 132 PC and Penal Code 134 PC

| — | Penal Code 132 PC | Penal Code 134 PC |
| — | — | — |
| Definition | Presenting false written evidence intentionally in any legal proceeding | Preparing false evidence for a legal proceeding, even if it’s not presented to the court |
| Conviction | You need to have known that the evidence was false | The prosecutor must prove that the defendant intended to deceive or mislead any given person in the proceeding |
| Associated penalty | A felony conviction that could result in three years in state prison | A felony conviction that could result in three years in state prison |

Table 3. Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Law Firm

| — | — |
| Thorough understanding of legal nuances |
| Zealous and ethical representation |
| Individualized approach |
| Retainer agreement to avoid surprises |
| Assistance throughout every stage of the legal process |