LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Clearlake woman has become the first person to be sentenced for perjury resulting from the Lake County District Attorney's newly formed Perjury Investigation Unit.

On Wednesday, Merissa Leigh James, 38, was sentenced to a total of four years and eight months for committing perjury in the Lake County Superior Court, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

James was arrested in August for presenting falsified reports to the Lake County Superior Court, officials said.

During an August court appearance before Judge Michael Lunas, James – who was acting in her own defense to a charge of violating her probation – entered into evidence several written reports and testified she had signed and mailed these reports to the Probation Department early last year. However, those report forms had been modified and were not created until after August.

At the conclusion of the hearing James was arrested as she left the courtroom, the District Attorney’s Office said.

James was charged with four felony counts including perjury, offering false evidence, preparing false documentary evidence, as well as a special allegation that she committed these new crimes while released on her own recognizance during the pendency of a felony matter.

Deputy District Attorney Daniel Flesch, who is assigned to the special unit, prosecuted the case with Investigator Andrew Chapman.

District Attorney Don Anderson has voiced his commitment to ensuring the admission of truthful testimony and reliable evidence in Lake County courts.

The Perjury Investigation Unit was formed in June in order to preserve the integrity of the justice system in Lake County.

There are several other perjury cases being investigated and some are awaiting trial in the Superior Court. 

Anderson said his office will continue to aggressively pursue their commitment to seeking out perjured testimony in all areas of criminal, civil and family law.