could you ever lie in court?

[hatwoman]

totally hypothetical - honest guv - if, as an honest law-abiding person you had a moment of stupidity (let's say, for example, getting your recycling muddled up, speeding in an absent-minded moment) and you ended up hauled up - infront of Cod, perhaps. Let's assume - regardless of the outcome of the case - you are mortified, racked with guilt, have learnt your lesson, are terrified of a criminal record and would NEVER do it again. ie being found guilty would serve no particular additional purpose coz you've SO been through the mill any way. just supposing you could cover your back - would you? could you?

Hell fucking NO!

I would lose my citizenship, be deported and banned from every returning.

I may also face perjury charges in my native country, where this is take VERY seriously and long prison sentences are normal.

In the US, however, I could chose to exercise my 5th Amendment right, which allows me to avoid incriminating myself by saying nothing.