It is Against the Law to Falsely Report a Crime: Learn More About This Potential Charge

It is Against the Law to Falsely Report a Crime: Learn More About This Potential ChargeWomen and men have both made charges of sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct against politicians, actresses, filmmakers, and others in recent news reports. Many of those charged as a result of this have lost their jobs, sought therapy, quit their jobs, or have just gone into hiding. A few of the alleged perpetrators have claimed that their accusers are lying.

In a related incident, it appears that one group tried to get a big news organization to publish a bogus sexual assault claim against a political candidate. However, the news organization discovered the attempt and published a report about the deception instead.

While the #MeToo movement has undoubtedly altered the way that sexual assault is perceived in the United States and increased understanding of the delays that victims may experience in reporting an assault, the message that “believe all victims” can be harmful to due process and the criminal justice system.

After all, there are circumstances in which a person has reason to lie, and there are several instances in which someone has been wrongfully convicted of sexual assault. That is why it is crucial to have a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney on your side if you have been accused of a sex crime. Read on to learn more and then contact Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 for a free legal consultation.

It is against the law to make a false report of a crime

Making a false report of a misdemeanor or felony crime to a police or peace officer, a prosecutor, a grand jury, or a state or local employee tasked with receiving reports from residents is against the law in California. The person making the report must be aware that it is false when making it in order to be found guilty of this offense. If the person believes in good faith that the crime truly happened but is later proven to be wrong, the crime cannot be charged.

Falsifying a police report is a misdemeanor offense that carries a maximum six-month county jail sentence. A judge will weigh a variety of criteria, including the offender’s motivation for filing the false report, his or her criminal history, and the consequences of the false report, when determining the appropriate sentence.

Intentionally false charge of sexual assault or rape is one example of how filing a fake police report can ruin someone else’s life. However, there are instances where someone reports a crime to the police believing the claim to be real only to be charged with a crime when it turns out to be untrue. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help with a determined defense against a false report charge under those circumstances.

Call the Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 or send an email to dchambers@clfca.com if you have been accused of making a false report or another felony to arrange a free initial consultation.

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