False Reporting to Authorities in Adams County – How Does it Occur?
This law has become more complex in Adams County and across Colorado. Today, it is no longer limited to a lie to police about who you are. Let’s consider the definition of False Reporting to Authorities, and look at some practical examples.
An Attorney’s Definition of False Reporting to Authorities – C.R.S. 18-8-111:
“A person commits false reporting to authorities, if:
(a) He or she knowingly:
(I) Causes by any means, including but not limited to activation, a false alarm of fire or other emergency or a false emergency exit alarm to sound or to be transmitted to or within an official or volunteer fire department, ambulance service, law enforcement agency, or any other government agency which deals with emergencies involving danger to life or property; or
(II) Prevents by any means, including but not limited to deactivation, a legitimate fire alarm, emergency exit alarm, or other emergency alarm from sounding or from being transmitted to or within an official or volunteer fire department, ambulance service, law enforcement agency, or any other government agency that deals with emergencies involving danger to life or property; or
(b) He makes a report or knowingly causes the transmission of a report to law enforcement authorities of a crime or other incident within their official concern when he knows that it did not occur; or
(c) He or she makes a report or knowingly causes the transmission of a report to law enforcement authorities pretending to furnish information relating to an offense or other incident within their official concern when he or she knows that he or she has no such information or knows that the information is false; or
(d) He or she knowingly provides false identifying information to law enforcement authorities.”
When Does False Reporting to Authorities Occur in Jefferson County?
Most commonly, False Reporting to Authorities occurs when Lakewood Police contact someone in a car or after arrest, and ask them for their ID. The person says they don’t have it, but make up a name or provide the name and date of birth of a friend or relative. “Identifying information” includes a person’s name, address, birth date, social security number, driver’s license or Colorado identification number. Other common circumstances leading to this charge are calling police to report a crime which did not occur, or changing a story earlier reported to police.
Arapahoe County False Reporting to Authorities is Either a Class 3 or Class 2 Misdemeanor
If False Reporting to Authorities is committed during the commission of another criminal offense in Arapahoe County, then it is a class 2 misdemeanor. If it is committed alone, it would be a class three misdemeanor in Aurora and Littleton. There is a potential jail sentence of up to one year in the Arapahoe County Jail.
When you are charged with False Reporting to Authorities in Douglas County or anywhere else in Colorado, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and call the top Denver attorneys at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
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