So you may have been nervous, acted out of spite, or were merely fed misinformation; no matter the specifics, you’re now facing criminal prosecution for Giving False Information to Law Enforcement. This may come as a surprise to you seeing as most don’t see lying as a crime. But when you do that to an officer of the law it is. The reason is that information will likely guide the officer’s actions, which could lead to the unjust prosecution of a third party but also wastes law enforcement resources. If you find yourself facing these charges, proactively seek experienced legal counsel.
The perjury lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm are knowledgeable attorneys who regularly protect the rights of the accused. Many people underestimate the gravity of a criminal charge of Giving False Information to the police in Orlando since it’s a simple misdemeanor. However, depending on the nature of your lie, you could easily face felony charges which carry heavy criminal penalties. Ensure that a mere misunderstanding doesn’t land you behind bars by speaking with our team today.
Florida Statute § 837.05 defines the crime of Giving False Information to Law Enforcement:
“a person who knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer concerning the alleged commission of any crime..”
This crime is not to be mistaken for False Report of a Crime as that offense relates only to instances when someone reports a crime that never occurred. Giving False Information, conversely, deals with instances when there is a crime and an individual knowingly lies to law enforcement regarding the incident.
The burden of proof is on the State to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused is guilty of the alleged crime. In doing so, they’’ need to show the following:
If they are unable to prove all 5 of these elements, your name can be cleared of all charges. However, if they are successful in their efforts, you can face criminal penalties linked with Giving False Information to Law Enforcement.
Giving False Information to Law Enforcement can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. The dictating factors will be whether you’re a repeat offender and the type of case for which you provided false information.
A first-time offender who gives false information to law enforcement, when the information doesn’t concern a capital felony, is guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor which is punishable by:
A second-time offender who gives false information to law enforcement, when the information is not concerning a capital felony, is guilty of a third-degree felony which is punishable by:
An individual who gives false information concerning a capital felony is guilty of a third-degree felony which is punishable by:
In pursuit of a conviction, the prosecution must prove many elements but most importantly that you:
1) provided information that was indeed false, and
2) you had knowledge that the information you were providing was false.
The lawyers at The Umansky Law Firm will go to great measures to disprove these key factors. The accused is oftentimes provided false information while other times the person can genuinely believe what they said to be true.
Our team of Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyers bring to the table more than 100 years of combined experience and have served as state and local prosecutors. We’re here to fight for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
