Lawyer for Giving A False Report to Police in Pennsylvania

Accused of Providing False Information to the Police? We Can Help

In Pennsylvania, it is illegal to give false information to law enforcement authorities, including falsely incriminating someone else, falsely reporting incidents that didn’t occur and/or providing false statements of any kind to the police. For example, if you furnish the FBI with fake paperwork you created on your own computer that wrongly frames your boss for embezzling money, you can be arrested for giving false reports to law enforcement.

If you have been charged with giving false reports to law enforcement, you need an experienced and aggressive Pittsburgh criminal defense lawyer who can defend your interests and protect your rights. Call (412) 281-2146 for a free consultation with one of our attorneys today.

Pennsylvania Laws on False Reports To Law Enforcement

Under Pennsylvania law, a person falsely incriminates another when they knowingly give false information to any law enforcement officer with the intent to implicate another. It is also illegal to report an offense to law enforcement when you know it did not occur or pretend to give authorities information relating to an offense when you do not really have any information about it.

Penalties for Filing a False Police Report in Pennsylvania

Falsely incriminating another is a misdemeanor of the second degree, and if convicted, it is punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine up to $5,000. Falsely reporting an offense or providing false statements to law enforcement is a misdemeanor of the third degree, and it is punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine up to $2,500. If the offense occurs during a declared state of emergency and the false report causes law enforcement resources to be diverted from dealing with that emergency, the offense will be graded a step higher. If convicted, you face not only prison time and fines but also the long-term ramifications of a permanent criminal record.