Sure, I'll give it a shot.

"the definition and legal credibility of sworn affidavits"

An affidavit is a written statement made under oath to be used as evidence.

False statements in an affidavit, as with false statements in a sworn declaration, can lead to a criminal charge of perjury.

It is hoped that people will be "more honest" in a formal affidavit than they would in their everyday, non-sworn statements.

Yeah, good luck with that.

In my years of practicing I've never seen someone locally conviceted of perjury, and there's a shit-load of lying in courts.

Yeah, shocking.

Once day I was in court waiting my turn to argue a motion, and I watched two lawyers arguing to the judge; the position of each was diametrically opposed to the other, with completely different claims being made.

Toward the end the judge slammed a book to get their attention, glowered at the two lawyers, and said "I am sick and tire of people coming into my courtroom and lying. Now continue."