SentenceCalc

Perjury and Witness Bribery Sentence Calculator

This page covers cases where a person lied under oath, got someone else to, or bribed a witness. Federal sentences for perjury and witness bribery are calculated under §2J1.3 of the Sentencing Guidelines, which starts at offense level 14 and adds levels for the facts of the case. At the starting level alone, someone with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 6–12 months under the guidelines.

Verified Checked against the manual text in at least five AI-assisted review rounds. Not yet reviewed by an attorney. Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025Updated October 4, 2026

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Starting level and typical ranges

These ranges use the starting level alone, before any of the facts listed below, for someone with no criminal record unless the column says otherwise. Most real cases add levels.

Starting pointLevelTrialGuilty pleaPlea + zero-pointCategory IV, plea
The perjury rules: level 14 plus the increases below1415–21 months10–16 months6–12 months21–27 months

What changes the sentence

Each of these facts moves the offense level under §2J1.3. Adjustments that apply to every offense, such as role in the offense, obstruction, a guilty plea and criminal history, come after these.

FactEffectRule
Was anyone hurt or threatened, or property damaged or threatened, to get someone to lie under oath: Yes+8§2J1.3(b)(1)
Did it seriously interfere with the justice system: Yes+3§2J1.3(b)(2)

Important details

  • If the lie or witness bribe concerned a criminal case, the accessory after the fact guideline (§2X3.1) is used instead when it gives a higher level. That level is based on the crime the case was about, so lying about a serious crime can raise the level well above 14 (§2J1.3(c)(1)). Work out both ways above and use the higher one.
  • When the accessory after the fact level (§2X3.1) is used, the reduction for a minor or minimal role (§3B1.2) normally does not apply, because that level already reflects a lesser role (§2X3.1, note 2).
  • Counts of perjury or subornation of perjury from separate proceedings, such as a grand jury and then a trial, a trial and a retrial, or the separate trials of two co-defendants, are not grouped together. Several grand jury proceedings in the same case are not separate proceedings (§2J1.3(d)(1), note 4).
  • The general obstruction adjustment (§3C1.1) is not added on top, unless the person also obstructed the perjury case itself (§2J1.3, note 2).
  • If the person is also convicted of the crime they lied about, special grouping rules apply (§2J1.3, note 3).
  • The calculator does not apply mandatory minimum sentences set by statute for this offense. If the statute of conviction requires one and it is higher than the range shown, the minimum controls; check the statute or ask a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

What is the base offense level for perjury and witness bribery?

The guideline for perjury and witness bribery is §2J1.3 of the federal Sentencing Guidelines. Its starting level is 14, before any adjustments. In some cases the starting level is taken from another offense instead; the calculator asks when that applies.

What is the guideline range for perjury and witness bribery with no criminal history points and a guilty plea?

Using the starting level alone, a person with no criminal history points who pleads guilty scores 6–12 months (6 months to 1 year), including the 2-level zero-point reduction. The facts listed under “What changes the sentence” can add levels, and the judge can sentence outside the range.

Is probation possible for perjury and witness bribery?

Possibly, with conditions. At the starting level with a guilty plea and the zero-point reduction the range is in Zone B, which allows probation with home detention, community confinement or intermittent confinement, unless the offense is a Class A or B felony or the statute rules probation out (§5B1.1(b)).

Is the calculator accurate for perjury and witness bribery?

It follows §2J1.3 of the Guidelines Manual effective November 1, 2025. It passed 7 review rounds, each comparing every number, rule and label with the manual text, and its last round found nothing to correct. Those reviews were done with AI tools, not by lawyers, and it has not yet been reviewed by an attorney, so mistakes are possible. The guidelines are advisory, and a lawyer who knows the case can tell you what actually applies.