CCC 2476

False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness.²⁷⁵ Cf. Prov 19:9. When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused.²⁷⁶ Cf. Prov 18:5. They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions.