Which offense is described as falsely swearing and his statement is material to the proceeding?

• A. Perjury (1st Degree)
• B. Perjury (2nd Degree)
• C. Escape (3rd Degree)
• D. Obstructing Governmental Operation

Answer: (A)

Perjury involves knowingly lying under oath about a material fact in a sworn proceeding. When someone makes a false statement while under oath, and that statement concerns something that is material to the case, it satisfies the elements of perjury. The description here—falsely swearing and the statement being material to the proceeding—fits that exact scenario, which is why it is categorized as perjury in the first degree, the more serious form tied to sworn testimony in an official proceeding.

The other options describe crimes that do not involve false sworn statements: escaping custody and obstructing governmental operation, neither of which centers on lying under oath about a matter material to the proceeding.