Think a Police Officer Lied About You? How to Prove False Testimony

Understanding What Happens When the Story Doesn’t Match

When you know what really happened, but the police report says something else, it can leave you stunned. Maybe you were respectful during a traffic stop, but the officer says you were combative. Maybe the charges don't reflect your actions at all. That gap between your experience and what’s written down can feel overwhelming and frightening. Especially when that report is used in court against you.

At Horn Wright, LLP, our civil rights attorneys have seen how damaging false police testimony can be. We represent people throughout New York who are fighting back against fabricated claims, altered narratives, and testimony that doesn’t match the truth. If you believe an officer lied about what you did or said, we’re here to help you uncover the facts and defend your future.

Understand What Counts as False Testimony

False testimony happens when an officer knowingly gives incorrect or misleading information under oath, or in official documentation used in your case. It’s not the same as forgetting a detail or making a mistake. It’s a deliberate attempt to shape a story that covers up misconduct or helps the prosecution.

This could look like:

• Saying you reached for an officer when you didn’t
• Claiming you resisted arrest when you were calm
• Misreporting the reason for a traffic stop
• Describing you as aggressive when video shows otherwise

In New York, police reports, affidavits, and courtroom testimony are treated as legal records. If an officer lies in any of these formats, that’s considered false testimony.

Why Officers Lie in Some Cases

It’s painful to think that someone in a position of power would lie. But it happens. Sometimes officers feel pressure to justify a stop that was not lawful. Other times, they may be trying to protect themselves or another officer from disciplinary action or lawsuits.

Common motives include:

• Covering up illegal searches or use of force
• Backing up another officer’s story
• Meeting quotas or performance targets
• Making an arrest appear more justified than it was

False testimony often starts small. A detail gets “cleaned up” to make a report sound more official. Over time, the story becomes the record, and the truth gets buried.

Real Examples From New York Cases

New York courts have seen multiple cases where false police testimony unraveled during legal proceedings. These cases show that lies don’t always stay hidden.

In the Bronx, body camera footage cleared a man accused of resisting arrest. The footage showed he was standing still with his hands up. In Queens, an officer claimed in court that a driver failed to signal, but surveillance video from a nearby store showed the turn signal was on.

Syracuse had a case where two officers submitted nearly identical reports with errors about a pedestrian stop. Defense lawyers used city camera footage to prove the interaction happened in a completely different location than reported.

These aren’t rare. They reflect a pattern that people across the state, from Manhattan to Monroe County, have experienced firsthand.

Signs That an Officer May Have Lied About You

When you’re facing charges, you may be too overwhelmed to question the officer’s version of events. But if things don’t add up, pay attention. You may be looking at signs of false testimony.

Look for these red flags:

• Statements in the report that contradict what actually happened
• Officers describing your actions using vague or inflammatory language
• No mention of body cam footage, or claims it “wasn’t working”
• Multiple officers using nearly identical language in reports
• Shifting explanations as the case progresses

If you see any of these patterns, start documenting everything. Write down what you remember, who was present, and what evidence might support your version.

How to Start Building Proof Against False Testimony

It takes real effort to prove that a police officer lied. But it can be done and you can start gathering that proof right away. Don’t wait for the system to protect you. Be proactive.

Key steps include:

• Requesting body camera and dashcam footage
• Reviewing the arrest report line by line
• Asking nearby businesses or residents for security video
• Saving text messages or call logs to build a timeline
• Requesting 911 call logs and dispatch audio

Your defense lawyer can help with formal evidence requests, but collecting and preserving what you can early on can make a big difference.

Legal Tools Lawyers Use to Challenge a Police Lie

Attorneys who handle these cases know how to press for the truth. Once false testimony is suspected, your legal team can dig in and build a strategy that exposes the lies.

Here’s how they do it:

• Filing motions to suppress evidence tied to the false claim
• Demanding internal police records and misconduct history
• Subpoenaing body cam logs, timestamps, and chain-of-custody data
• Using cross-examination to expose contradictions
• Calling eyewitnesses or experts to dispute the officer’s story

In New York, courts are required to take these claims seriously. Judges have authority to limit testimony, exclude evidence, or dismiss charges when lies are proven.

What Courts Consider When Reviewing Conflicting Testimony

When a judge or jury hears two sides of a story, they consider both credibility and supporting evidence. Officers do not automatically get believed over civilians. In fact, courts may scrutinize officer testimony more closely if past misconduct or contradictions arise.

Judges look at:

• Whether an officer’s statement changed over time
• Whether body camera or video evidence supports the claims
• If physical evidence aligns with the officer’s description
• The officer’s previous conduct or history of discipline (when available)
• Testimony from civilians or other neutral witnesses

If the truth surfaces and the court finds your rights were violated due to false testimony, that opens the door to serious legal remedies.

What Happens If a Lie Is Proven

If the court finds that an officer lied under oath or filed a false report, your case can change dramatically. The lie itself can create grounds for major consequences.

Depending on the situation, the following may happen:

• Charges may be reduced or dismissed entirely
• The prosecution may withdraw key evidence
• A judge may issue sanctions or limit officer testimony
• You may gain the right to file a civil rights lawsuit

In some cases, the officer may also face internal discipline, loss of credibility, or referral for criminal perjury charges. This doesn’t always happen, but it’s more likely when false testimony affects a person’s freedom or criminal record.

Final Takeaway: The Truth Can Be Proven

Being accused of something you didn’t do is hard enough. But when a police officer’s false statements are shaping that accusation, the stakes feel even higher. If you’re in this situation, know that there are legal tools designed to expose the truth.

Our trusted legal team at Horn Wright, LLP, represents people across New York who’ve been harmed by dishonest police conduct. We understand the fear, the frustration, and the fight required to clear your name. And we know how to use records, footage, and testimony to make your voice matter. If you're ready to challenge false testimony, we’re here to stand with you.