One way that False Reporting to Authorities is charged in Fort Collins and Loveland is when a person is accused of reporting a crime that they know did not occur. Recently, a Colorado man had called 911 to report that a person had threatened to “blow his head off.” The man ended the call after providing little information. When police arrived at the scene, they recognized the man from past interactions where his alcohol and drug use had caused paranoia. The police log did not note whether the man was charged, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up with a False Reporting charge.
Larimer County False Reporting to Authorities Attorney: How is False Reporting Charged in Colorado?
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of False Reporting to Authorities – C.R.S. 18-8-111 – is:
(I) He or she knowingly:
(A) Causes by any means, including but not limited to activation, a false alarm of fire or other emergency or a false emergency exit alarm to sound or to be transmitted to or within an official or volunteer fire department, ambulance service, law enforcement agency, or any other government agency which deals with emergencies involving danger to life or property; or
(B) Prevents by any means, including but not limited to deactivation, a legitimate fire alarm, emergency exit alarm, or other emergency alarm from sounding or from being transmitted to or within an official or volunteer fire department, ambulance service, law enforcement agency, or any other government agency that deals with emergencies involving danger to life or property; or
(II) He or she makes a report or knowingly causes the transmission of a report to law enforcement authorities of a crime or other incident within their official concern when he or she knows that it did not occur; or
(III) He or she makes a report or knowingly causes the transmission of a report to law enforcement authorities pretending to furnish information relating to an offense or other incident within their official concern when he or she knows that he or she has no such information or knows that the information is false
Based on the information in the article, if the man was charged, it would likely be under subsection (II), making a report that he knew didn’t occur. Although, if he were suffering from paranoia at the time, there would be a defense that he truly thought he was threatened.
Sentence for False Reporting in Loveland and Estes Park
In Loveland, Estes Park, and Fort Collins, False Reporting to Authorities is a class 2 misdemeanor. This level misdemeanor is punishable by up to 120 days in the Larimer County Jail.
If you or someone you love has been charged with False Reporting, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule a free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Anete Lusina