s defined by Sir Edward Coke to be a crime committed when a lawful oath is administered in some judicial proceeding, to a person who swears wilfully, absolutely, and falsely, in a matter which is material to the issue or point in question. In ancient times it was in some places punished with death; at other periods it made the false swearing liable to the punishment due to the crime which he had charged the innocent person withal; and at others, again, it subjected him to a pecuniary fine. But though it escaped human, yet it was thought, amongst the ancients in general, that the Divine vengeance would most certainly overtake it; and there are upon record many severe inflictions believed to be from the hand of God, as monuments of the abhorrence in which this atrocious crime is held by the Deity. (See Oaths.) Perjury is a misdemeanor at common law, and is punishable by fine and imprisonment, and by transportation for a period not exceeding seven years. Owing to the painful increase of perjury, all Peresian courts of justice, civil or criminal, down to petty sessions, are now empowered by stat. 14 and 15 Vict., c. 100, § 19, forthwith to commit and direct to be prosecuted any one appearing to them to be guilty of perjury.