What is considered perjury?

Perjury is defined as making a false statement under oath. This means that an individual knowingly lies when they have sworn to tell the truth, typically during legal proceedings such as court testimony, depositions, or sworn affidavits. The essence of perjury lies in the act of providing false information while under the legal obligation to be truthful, which undermines the integrity of the judicial process.

In the context of the other options, offering an opinion without a factual basis does not constitute perjury, as it may not involve a sworn statement or intentional deception. Making a true statement under oath clearly cannot be perjury, as it fulfills the requirement of truthfulness. Fabricating evidence in a case is a serious offense, but it is distinct from perjury, which specifically pertains to false statements made by individuals under oath rather than the creation of false evidence.