A Mercer County social worker was placed under arrest and charged with perjury, among other crimes, after she allegedly lied under oath during a divorce case. The suspect is a 44-year-old woman who lives in Trenton NJ and works for the Mercer County Board of Social Services. She allegedly submitted forged papers during a legal proceeding in family court. Prosecutors said that the suspect doctored information on official documents to make her salary appear lower. Additionally, the suspect allegedly lied about her Social Security benefits by declaring that she did not get benefits for her disabled son. Court officials became suspicious about the suspect’s information and notified the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Unit, which then launched an investigation. Detectives looked into the situation for three months and ultimately decided that enough evidence existed to arrest the suspect. She was subsequently charged with multiple crimes, including perjury, tampering with public records, and forgery.
Severe Penalties for Lying Under Oath in NJ Court
If the suspect is convicted on the most serious charge of perjury, she could be sentenced to 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:28-1, a person commits perjury when they make a false statement under oath and they know that the statement is not true. The statute also stipulates that the statement must be “material,” which means that it could potentially affect the legal proceeding. In addition to facing prison time, the suspect’s ability to work as a social worker could also be in jeopardy. While the perjury charges against the suspect remain pending, she will be suspended from her job with the social services board. According to officials, the suspect has been employed in Mercer County since 2008. Have you been accused of forgery, theft by deception, or any other fraud offense in Mercer County, NJ? The experienced criminal defense lawyers at the Davis Law Firm, LLC can help you fight your charges and avoid the most severe penalties. Contact us now to schedule a free initial consultation about your case.
