> If it were illegal, why do people have to take an oath in court?
A number of reasons:
* So they can't claim ignorance of the law.
* Because lying in court is such a commonplace that the court system decided a timely reminder would be wise.
* Finally, some statements that are lies can't be prosecuted, for example, anything not material to the issues being discussed. On that basis, the oath stands as a clarification of what is legal and illegal in that specific context.
In spite of the above, lying under oath is very common. It's a rule of thumb that judges will rule against liars rather than try to prosecute them.
> Lying may be morally or ethically bad, but in itself, the law is fine with it.
Yes -- except (two examples) under oath or while filing a police report.
A number of reasons:
* So they can't claim ignorance of the law.
* Because lying in court is such a commonplace that the court system decided a timely reminder would be wise.
* Finally, some statements that are lies can't be prosecuted, for example, anything not material to the issues being discussed. On that basis, the oath stands as a clarification of what is legal and illegal in that specific context.
In spite of the above, lying under oath is very common. It's a rule of thumb that judges will rule against liars rather than try to prosecute them.
> Lying may be morally or ethically bad, but in itself, the law is fine with it.
Yes -- except (two examples) under oath or while filing a police report.