Perverting The Course Of Justice

Meet the team

DPP Law solicitors specialise in offences against public justice and defending against accusations of perjury and perverting the course of justice. We can help to build your defence if you have been accused of any of these offences.

We have a dedicated team who are highly experienced in picking apart complex situations and examining evidence relating to offences against those intending to pervert the course of public justice. We are committed to achieving a successful outcome for all our clients, so you can be sure to receive the very best service.

What Does Perverting the Course of Justice Mean?

“Perverting the course of justice” refers to actions undertaken by an individual to prevent justice from being served. The accused does not need to have committed this offence about their case or situation – they may be attempting to pervert the course of justice to prevent a friend, relative or other individual from being prosecuted.

Implications of Offences Against Public Justice

Perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines state that perverting or attempting to pervert the court of justice carries a maximum penalty of life in prison and/or a fine – though only on extreme occasions do sentences tend to exceed 36 months in custody.

A perjury sentence may extend to 7 years in prison, while contempt of court is punishable by 2 years. Witness or jury intimidation may earn a perpetrator 5 years in custody, wasting police time could see you jailed for up to 6 months or handed a Fixed Penalty Notice, and resisting arrest may result in the offender being jailed for up to two years if the transgression includes assault, and concealment of evidence can see perpetrators jailed for 18 months or over depending on the severity of the crime it relates to. Most of the above offences may also include a fine.

Related Offences To Perverting the Course of Justice

Offences against public justice include such transgressions as:

Perjury (telling an untruth under oath)
Contempt of court (creating a disturbance to impede the correct functioning of a court, including publishing information to purposefully influence or prejudice proceedings, making recordings or attempting to make recordings in a court building and breaching the confidentiality of court proceedings)
Witness intimidation (threatening or behaving threateningly towards witnesses in an attempt to make them change or withdraw their testimony)
Jury intimidation (threatening or behaving threateningly towards members of the jury in an attempt to influence their verdict)
Wasting police time (by making false allegations)
Resisting arrest
Concealment of evidence
Attempting to pervert the course of justice

Perverting the Course of Justice: Frequently Asked Questions

What is Perverting the Course of Justice?

If you are charged with this offence, it means you are being accused of preventing or obstructing the work of court officials and law enforcers with the correct delivery of justice.

What is the Sentence for Perverting the Course of Justice?

Perverting the course of justice sentencing guidelines state that those found guilty of this offence may face up to life in prison.

What Happens if You Commit Perjury?

A perjury sentence may reach 7 years in prison, though it may also constitute a fine.

Contact DPP Law today if you have been accused of perverting the course of justice. If you did not understand that the actions you took were illegal, or if you did not take them at all, you may be acquitted with our help.

Our criminal defence solicitors can defend you if you have been accused of any of the below criminal offences:

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