A false plea is the basest of all things.

Explanation

(English-origin maxim.) A false plea is the most dishonorable act in legal proceedings — to lie to the court under the protection of judicial process is the basest abuse of the law's trust.

Where this applies

• A defendant who fabricates an alibi and presents it to the court commits one of the most dishonorable acts in law — a false plea.
• A company that files a fraudulent answer denying it ever received payment, when bank records prove otherwise, has committed the basest act in legal proceedings.
• A party who lies in a sworn pleading — claiming a debt was paid when it was not — dishonors the legal process more than almost any other misconduct.