Is Filing a False Police Report a Felony?

Since just the accuser’s accusations are required to move forward with a criminal sexual conduct charge, with no supporting evidence needed, is precisely why there are a large number of falsely reported sexual assaults in the United States. A false report of a sex crime will undoubtedly affect the accused in ways the accuser never dreamt. Our sex crimes lawyers can help.

Is Filing a False Police Report a Felony?

If an accuser files a false police report regarding the charges of criminal sexual conduct 1st degree, criminal sexual conduct 2nd degree, criminal sexual conduct 3rd degree, and/or criminal sexual conduct 4th degree, that person can be charged with a felony of filing a false police report.

A person who intentionally makes a false report of the commission of a crime (misdemeanor and/or felony), or intentionally causes a false report of the commission of a crime to be made to a police officer, police agency, peace officer, or local unit of government, 9-1-1 operator, or any other governmental employee, contractor, or employee of a contractor who is authorized to receive reports of a crime, knowing the report is false, is guilty of the crime of filing a false police report.

Filing false reports can be a felony charge or a misdemeanor, and can be found under MCL 750.411a. A violation or attempted violation of this section may be charged in any jurisdiction in which the communication originated or terminated.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT

WHY WOULD SOMEONE FALSELY ACCUSE SOMEONE OF A SEX CRIME?

Blank Law, PC has numerous answers to that question. Nicole Blank Becker’s years of experience in this field, and the thousands of cases she has personally been involved in, gives her the knowledge to know firsthand that accusers make up stories all the time. Accusers have ulterior motives for making up false accusations and they can be extremely vindictive.

WHY WOULD SOMEONE MAKE A FALSE POLICE REPORT AGAINST YOU?

There are several reasons “why” an accuser would make a false statement to the police. Some of these examples include, but are not limited to:

• They want revenge
• They are vindictive
• They do not like mom’s new boyfriend
• They want to go live with someone other than the accused
• They are in the middle of a divorce
• They use a sexual assault claim as leverage to have sole custody of the children

WE WANT TO HAVE THE ACCUSER CHARGED WITH THE CRIME OF FILING A FALSE POLICE REPORT, HOW DO WE DO THAT?

Once the accuser has made an official complaint/police report naming you as the accused, now is NOT the time to be worrying about how to CHARGE him/her with a crime. You are now on the defense, and you have to prove a negative.

Proving a negative is not an easy feat. Instead of concerning yourself with going after the accuser with a criminal charge, you need to direct all of your energy towards helping yourself first and getting yourself OUT of a criminal charge. Once your case has been settled favorably, this next step can then be discussed.

PENALTY

If a person files a false report of a misdemeanor crime, that person will be found guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by not more than 93 days in the county jail, a fine of not more than $500, or both.

If a person files a false report of a felony crime, that person will be found guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than four years, a fine of not more than $2,000, or both.

If a person files a false report, and someone incurs physical injury during law enforcement’s response to address the reported crime, the person responsible for the false report is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than five years, a fine of not more than $20,000, or both.

If a person files a false report, and someone incurs serious impairment of a body function during law enforcement’s response to address the reported crime, the person responsible for the false report is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $25,000, or both.

If a person files a false report, and someone is killed during law enforcement’s response to address the reported crime, the person responsible for the false report is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 15 years, a fine of not less than $25,000 or more than $50,000, or both.

DEFENSE

The following are defenses that can be used when charged with filing false police reports:

• The accused does not believe that he or she made a false report, false statements, or reported false information
• The accused believes the report was true at the time of making the report
• It was a case of mistaken identity

HIRE CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER NICOLE BLANK BECKER TO HANDLE YOUR CASE

Unfortunately, false allegations of sexual assault are often made. Typically, when an accuser of a sexual assault or serious crime makes a police report, the legitimacy of the report is not figured out until AFTER the accused has already been charged.

It takes a skilled criminal defense attorney to be able to provide the detective and/or the state with the information they need to prove there was information reported.

During Nicole Blank Becker‘s 20+ years of practicing law, she has had plenty of experience with people being charged with filing a false police report. Nicole knows exactly what the state looks for in determining whether or not to charge someone with the crime of filing a false police report.

On the other hand, being falsely accused of a sex crime can and will turn your world upside down. Nicole’s years of experience with sex crimes will assist you in the fight for your life. Once it is discovered that the accuser has made false accusations, there will be some very important conversations between Nicole and the state discussing the reality of having your criminal charges dismissed.

Nicole Blank Becker has a respectful, working relationship with the police departments and the assistant prosecutors in Michigan, which will certainly assist you in the pursuit of justice.

Not only does Nicole develop an excellent attorney-client relationship and promise to give you the best legal advice, but she will also work tirelessly to get your felony or misdemeanor charges dismissed or your penalties reduced.

If you or someone you know has been arrested, accused, or are under criminal investigation/police investigation for a false report case or any sex crime, Blank Law, PC is ready to help. Contact us today by calling (248) 515-6583 and get criminal lawyer Nicole Blank Becker working for you today.