subornation of perjury: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Legal/Judicial term)Formal, Technical, Legal
Quick answer
What does “subornation of perjury” mean?
The criminal act of persuading or inducing someone to commit perjury (lie under oath in a legal proceeding).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The criminal act of persuading or inducing someone to commit perjury (lie under oath in a legal proceeding).
As a legal term of art, it refers specifically to the procurement of perjury through bribery, threats, coercion, or any other corrupt means. It is a completed offence when the perjury is both induced and committed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term and its legal definition are virtually identical in both jurisdictions, as the concept is rooted in common law. Procedural contexts for charging may differ.
Connotations
Carries the same grave connotation of corruption of the judicial process in both the UK and US.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language but standard within legal discourse in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “subornation of perjury” in a Sentence
[Agent] (was charged with/convicted of) subornation of perjury by [coercing/bribing] [Witness] to [testify/lie] that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “subornation of perjury” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The defendant attempted to suborn the witness, leading to charges of subornation of perjury.
American English
- The prosecutor argued he did knowingly suborn perjury from his client.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- The subornation charge was the most serious on the indictment.
American English
- They faced subornation-of-perjury allegations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in law schools and legal scholarship when discussing offences against justice.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only appear in news reports about major legal scandals.
Technical
Core usage is in legal indictments, court opinions, and criminal law textbooks.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “subornation of perjury”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “subornation of perjury”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “subornation of perjury”
- Using 'subornation' without 'of perjury' in a legal context (it requires the object).
- Confusing it with 'perjury' itself (subornation is the act of inducing, not committing, the lie).
- Misspelling 'subornation' as 'subordination'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in both the UK and US, it is typically classified as a felony (or an indictable offence) because it strikes at the heart of the judicial system.
In many jurisdictions, the crime of 'subornation' is only complete if the perjury is actually committed. The attempt or solicitation to commit perjury may itself be a separate, lesser offence.
Witness tampering is a broader offence that includes subornation of perjury. Tampering can also involve threatening a witness to tell the truth or to not testify at all, whereas subornation specifically requires inducing a false statement under oath.
The specific term 'subornation of perjury' is a common law term. Civil law systems have analogous crimes for corrupting witnesses or obstructing justice, but they are not typically referred to by this name.
The criminal act of persuading or inducing someone to commit perjury (lie under oath in a legal proceeding).
Subornation of perjury is usually formal, technical, legal in register.
Subornation of perjury: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsʌb.ɔːˈneɪ.ʃən əv ˈpɜː.dʒər.i/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsʌb.ɔːrˈneɪ.ʃən əv ˈpɝː.dʒɚ.i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific; related to 'thumb on the scale', 'pervert the course of justice'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SUBORN = secretly BORN (create) a lie. Subornation OF Perjury = the act of secretly creating a lie under oath.
Conceptual Metaphor
JUSTICE IS A FOUNDATION; subornation of perjury is an act of CORROSION/UNDERMINING that foundation.
Practice
Quiz
What is the core element that distinguishes 'subornation of perjury' from 'perjury'?