I often say that the difference between the truth and lie is sometimes a matter of perspective. However, there are situations when a person knowingly testifies to “facts” when he or she believes them to be untrue.

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The best thing you can do to protect your self against a deceitful witness in an Arizona Divorce is to be prepared. The first step in preparing for someone who may present false testimony is to take his or her deposition.

A deposition is a proceeding that occurs at your attorney’s office and, in the presence of a court reporter, is put under oath, to tell the truth. Your attorney can then ask questions of the witness and his or her answers are taken down as part of the deposition record. You can later obtain a written copy of all of the questions and answers.

If the witness lies in her deposition, you have time to gather the evidence to prove the falsity of the person’s deposition testimony. There is a phrase in Latin – “falsus in unum falsus in omnibus“. This term simply means false about one thing then false about everything.

Remember, a judge has the prerogative to believe some of what a witness says, some of what they say, or none of what they say. A witness caught in a lie can lose some, if not all, credibility.

A witness caught in multiple lies will likely have no credibility and your attorney can argue their testimony should be given little to no consideration from the court.

Now that you know what the witness will say from their deposition and you have prepared to contradict them, you are prepared to discredit them in the presentation of evidence and their own testimony at trial. Oftentimes, a liar cannot keep their lies straight.

When you lawyer has dutifully prepared for the questioning of the witness at trial, he or she should use the deposition transcripts and point out every contradiction between what the said in that deposition versus what they are saying at trial.

If they do stay consistent with their deposition testimony, you are prepared to present the evidence that proves their statements are false.

Either way, a liar in a case can box themselves into a corner whichever direction they go. This only works if you are not prepared to box them in with their own words.

In Arizona, knowingly making a false statement while under oath, to tell the truth, is a class 4 felony, pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-2702. However, none of our attorneys are aware of any prosecution occurring when a witness lied in an Arizona divorce case.

If you have questions about when someone lies in an Arizona divorce case, you should seriously consider contacting the attorneys at Hildebrand Law, PC. Our Arizona divorce and family law attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience successfully representing clients in divorce and family law cases.

Our family law firm has earned numerous awards such as US News and World Reports Best Arizona Family Law Firm, US News and World Report Best Divorce Attorneys, “Best of the Valley” by Arizona Foothills readers, and “Best Arizona Divorce Law Firms” by North Scottsdale Magazine.

Call us today at (480)305-8300 or reach out to us through our appointment scheduling form to schedule your personalized consultation and turn your Arizona divorce or family law case around today.

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Someone Lies in a Divorce in Arizona | Hildebrand Law, PC

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