Any Quote by Barbara Olson
“The decision that has to be made was whether it was material, whether he knew he was lying under oath, whether he did it willfully. I think that's required of any prosecutor who is charged with an investigation of this.”
About This Quote
Source Testimony: Senate Judiciary Committee, 1998
Prosecutors must assess materiality, knowledge, and intent when evaluating perjury.
In simple terms: Prosecutors evaluate truthfulness based on facts and intent.
Ensure thorough, fair legal analysis.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- court trials
- investigations
- legal education
- policy drafting
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can intent be proven beyond doubt?
- What safeguards protect against wrongful prosecution?
Legal complexities can obscure intent.