What constitutes perjury?

Perjury is defined as making a false statement under oath, which means that a person deliberately lies while affirming the truthfulness of their statements in a legal context. This act undermines the integrity of the judicial system, as it can distort the truth and obstruct justice. Being under oath indicates that the person is legally obligated to tell the truth, and violating this obligation by providing false information is a serious offense.

The other options pertain to different legal issues but do not fit the definition of perjury. Failing to appear in court when summoned can lead to contempt charges, while disobeying a court order is also a separate violation of legal obligations. Honoring an unregistered contract does not constitute perjury, as it relates to contractual law rather than the obligation to tell the truth in a sworn statement. Thus, making a false statement under oath is the clear definition of perjury, making it the correct choice.