If you call the police to report a crime which didn’t happen, you will be charged with False Reporting in Larimer, Boulder or Grand County. Believe it or not, a woman in Connecticut did just that. According to police reports, she called 911 to report an attempted robbery. She gave a complete description of the man, his getaway car and driver, and the fact that he had a pistol hidden in his pocket. After an investigation, she admitted to police that she made up the incident in order to get a ride home. Unfortunately for her, being charged with False Reporting can have a negative impact on a person’s future.
What is False Reporting – C.R.S. 18-8-111?
A person will be charged with False Reporting in Larimer County if they:
- Knowingly activate a false fire alarm, or tamper with or deactivate a fire alarm. This also applies to other emergency alarms, such as calling 911.
- Make a report to a law enforcement agency which is false.
- Provide false identification (name, birth date, address, etc.) to law enforcement agencies.
Because the woman called 911 falsely and gave untrue information to the police, she has been charged with False Reporting. In most cases in Colorado, False Reporting is a class 3 misdemeanor. A person convicted of this offense in Fort Collins, Loveland or Estes Park would face up to six months in the Larimer County Jail.
Why You Need a Top Criminal Defense Attorney
When someone has lied to a Larimer County Sheriff’s deputy or Fort Collins, Johnstown or Berthoud police, their first reaction is almost always to confess the untruth. This is never a good option. While False Reporting is a low level misdemeanor, the consequences of a conviction are long-lasting. A conviction of False Reporting to Authorities will show up on background checks. This type of offense destroys character – people think of those convicted of False Reporting as liars. Credibility, once destroyed, is difficult to regain. Don’t make confessions to police. Instead, contact one of our experienced criminal defense attorneys. We will speak on your behalf and determine how we can minimize your sentence in court. Often, we are able to get cases dismissed, or work out a favorable plea deal which will not appear negatively on your record. Don’t ignore the impact of a False Reporting conviction on your record.