False Reporting Lawyers in Fort Collins, Colorado
What are Colorado’s Different Laws on Giving False Information?

Our top False Reporting lawyers in Fort Collins, Colorado advise that any act of providing false information to authorities can result in stiff penalties.  At a minimum, “swatting” can be a class 2 misdemeanor, but can even be a class 3 felony in the worst case scenario.  These kinds of charges depend on the outcome of the false report – that is, whether an evacuation took place, and whether there was any bodily injury, serious bodily injury, or death.  If you have been charged with a False Report crime, act now to protect your future, and call our top Larimer County criminal defense lawyers today.

Colorado’s Law on False Reporting to Authorities, C.R.S. 18-8-111

Colorado’s law on False Reporting to Authorities, C.R.S. 18-8-111, also known as “swatting,” encompasses several acts.  These include knowingly:

• Causing a fire alarm to sound when there is no fire,
• Preventing a fire alarm from sounding,
• Giving a false report of a crime or other incident that concerns law enforcement, knowing that the incident didn’t happen, or
• Providing false information pertaining to an offense or other incident that concerns law enforcement.

Giving false information to the Fort Collins Police, Larimer County Sheriff, or other Colorado law enforcement officer can range between a class 2 misdemeanor and class 3 felony.

False Report of Explosives, C.R.S. 18-8-110 in Fort Collins, CO

There are two ways you can be charged with False Report of Explosives, C.R.S. 18-8-110, in Fort Collins, CO:

• Knowingly giving a false report of the presence of a bomb, radioactive substance, chemical agent, etc.; or
• Knowingly giving a false report of a mass shooting or active shooter.

Falsely reporting the presence of a bomb or similar agent is a class 5 felony, but falsely reporting an active shooter is a class 6 felony.

Larimer County False Reporting of Identifying Information, C.R.S. 18-8-111.5

In Larimer County, False Reporting of Identifying Information, C.R.S. 18-8-111.5, is:

Giving false identifying information to a Larimer County Sheriff’s Deputy or other law enforcement officer is usually a class 2 misdemeanor.  However, it can instead be a class 6 felony if the false information significantly impedes an investigation or arrest for a felony Victim’s Rights Act offense listed in C.R.S. 24-4.1-302 (1).

Penalties for Providing False Information in Loveland and Estes Park

Penalties for providing false information charges in Loveland and Estes Park vary, depending mostly on the type of information provided and the outcome.  For example, False Reporting to Authorities is a class 2 misdemeanor.  However, if the false report results in an evacuation, which in turn results in another person’s death, it is instead a class 3 felony.  See the table for possible penalties below:

Have you been charged with False Reporting?  First, remember to always be smart, and exercise your right to stay silent.  Do not talk to the Fort Collins Police or the Larimer County Sheriff about your case.  Then call 970-658-0007 to get in contact with a top criminal defense lawyer from the O’Malley Law Office today.  Together, we can protect your future.

The location for the Larimer County Courthouse is 201 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll see you there!

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio