What defines perjury in common law?

Perjury in common law is defined as the crime committed by a person who willfully makes a false statement under oath. This definition is grounded in the principle that, in legal proceedings, the integrity of testimony is paramount for justice to be served. When an individual takes an oath to tell the truth, they are legally bound to provide accurate information; failing to do so undermines the judicial process and can lead to significant legal repercussions. Thus, willfully providing false information, knowing it to be untrue, constitutes perjury, making option A the correct choice.

The other options do not accurately reflect the legal definition of perjury. Theft and possession of stolen goods pertain to crimes against property rather than the act of giving false testimony. Additionally, describing perjury as merely a misdemeanor for giving false testimony oversimplifies the act, as perjury is regarded as a serious crime due to its potential to disrupt the legal process and the importance placed on truthful testimony.