Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 Sec. 870 – Judgment by perjury; action on case
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1. Action; within 3 years. When a judgment has been obtained against a party by the perjury of a witness introduced at the trial by the adverse party, the injured party may, within 3 years after that judgment or after final disposition of any motion for relief from the judgment, bring an action against such adverse party, or any perjured witness or confederate in the perjury, to recover the damages sustained by the injured party by reason of such perjury. The judgment in the former action does not bar an action under this section.
[PL 2009, c. 187, §1 (NEW).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 14 Sec. 870
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
2. Specificity of claim. A claim under this section must identify the specific testimony alleged to be false at the initial filing of the claim.
[PL 2009, c. 187, §1 (NEW).]
3. Record; evidence. A claim may not be submitted under this section solely on the same record as in the former trial. Evidence discoverable by due diligence before the trial cannot be introduced as new evidence to establish perjury.
[PL 2009, c. 187, §1 (NEW).]
4. Standard of proof. The plaintiff in an action under this section must prove the alleged perjury by clear and convincing evidence.
[PL 2009, c. 187, §1 (NEW).]
5. Affirmative defense. It is an affirmative defense to an action under this section that the plaintiff has no new evidence to present concerning the alleged perjury.
[PL 2009, c. 187, §1 (NEW).]
6. Strictly construed. The pleading and proof requirements of this section must be strictly construed.
[PL 2009, c. 187, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2009, c. 187, §1 (RPR).