False reporting to authorities in Denver is an offense that involves giving law enforcement false information. This charge sometimes results from reporting a crime that didn’t occur or knowingly making a false accusation. Additionally, pulling a fire alarm as a prank or without any knowledge that there is in fact a fire can be considered an act of false reporting. Whether you gave police a fake name to avoid a ticket or reported a crime that never occurred out of revenge, contacting a skilled attorney is the first step in your defense.
Denver False Reporting Law
Denver’s false reporting law prohibits making certain fabricated statements or claims to law enforcement. CRS 18-8-111 defines specific violations of false reporting to authorities in Colorado. You commit this offense in Denver, Cherry Creek, or Lodo if you:
- create or cause a false report to be transmitted to authorities knowing the incident or crime didn’t occur,
- provide information about an offense you know isn’t true,
- give police false identification,
- activate a fire alarm or emergency exit alarm falsely,
- or prevent a fire alarm / emergency exit alarm from activating
These situations grow in severity when false claims are made that include some type of threat to another’s safety or deadly weapon use.
Is False Reporting a Misdemeanor in Colorado?
Each case of false reporting to authorities is different. Therefore, the penalties for conviction are as well. False reporting is at minimum a class 3 misdemeanor in the state of Colorado. Defendants can face the following penalties at sentencing:
- up to 6 months in county jail,
- fines of $50 – $750
However, if you cause an alarm to go off while committing another offense, a class 2 misdemeanor applies. Finally, if you falsely report an emergency the act becomes a class 1 misdemeanor and amplifies to an extraordinary risk crime if anyone is evacuated from the location or injured.
False Reporting Defense Lawyer
Just because you’ve been charged with false reporting in Colorado doesn’t meant you’re guilty. Consulting a strategic defense attorney early on has many benefits and often leads to a better outcome for those accused. Perhaps you genuinely believed your statements were true at the time of the report or you didn’t cause an alarm to sound. That said, contact our firm today for a free consultation. We offer same-day jail visits, affordable fees, and flexible payment plans for those facing criminal allegations throughout the Denver area.
If you or someone you know is facing a false reporting charge in Colorado, be smart. Contact the highly rated criminal lawyers at Sawyer Legal Group, LLC at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Alexandre Boucher