Purposefully providing police or other authorities false information is unlawful throughout Aurora, Centennial, and Englewood. Whether the acts are a prank or someone is seeking revenge on another, a jail sentence and fines can result. In a day and age where citizens can create a report of crime online, false reporting is easily done and can prove to be costly. Pulling a fire alarm as a joke and giving police a fake ID can also be considered acts of false reporting to authorities. If you’re facing accusations of this behavior in Arapahoe County, exercise your right to remain silent and contact a skilled criminal defense attorney.
Aurora False Reporting Law
Aurora’s false reporting law prohibits providing law enforcement with information you know is false. CRS 18-8-111 is the criminal code that defines false reporting to authorities throughout Colorado. You commit this offense in Arapahoe, Douglas, or Elbert County if you knowingly.
- activate manually, falsely cause activation, or prevent the activation of a fire alarm / emergency exit alarm,
- create a false report or cause submission of one to law enforcement fully aware the crime or incident didn’t happen,
- present false information related to an offense,
- provide false identification to law enforcement
A key element to this particular offense is the report being made with the knowledge that it is indeed false. False reporting doesn’t apply if the person genuinely believes their report to be true.
How Bad is False Reporting in Colorado?
Each false reporting case in Colorado is different. False reporting to authorities is at minimum a class 2 misdemeanor, potentially leading to:
- a county jail sentence of up to 4 months,
- fines of up to $750
If an alarm is triggered purposefully while committing another crime, a class 2 misdemeanor applies as well. Furthermore, false reporting of an emergency is even more serious, carrying penalties associated with a class 1 misdemeanor. And, if falsely reporting an emergency leads to another’s serious bodily injury, a felony charge can result.
Aurora Defense Attorney for False Reporting
Allegations of false reporting to law enforcement are serious. Hiring a strategic criminal lawyer early on has many advantages and often leads to a better outcome. Perhaps you truly believed your report was genuine or you didn’t cause an alarm to sound. Nonetheless, contact our office for a free, confidential consultation. Our highly-rated defense attorneys will carefully analyze your unique situation, as well as recommend next steps. Our affordable fees and flexible payment plans make determined representation a reality in uncertain times.
Don’t talk to police about false reporting charges – talk to us. Sawyer Legal Group, LLC 303-731-0719
Photo by John Cafazza