When you are talking to law enforcement in Weld County, lying to them or providing information that you know is false can result in a criminal charge of False Reporting. Often when a person is faced with a False Reporting Ticket, it is because they believed that the information was true only to later find it was false. Imagine learning later that you accused the wrong person of committing a crime. Below, the lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office will discuss the types of False Reporting and what to do if you are facing this criminal charge.
Two Types of False Reporting Charges in Greeley Colorado
There are two main types of False Reporting charges in Greeley. Both charges have different legal definitions, sentences, and penalties. The first is False Reporting to Authorities, C.R.S. 18-8-111, and the second is False Report of Explosives, Weapons or Harmful Substances, C.R.S. 18-8-110. Let’s look at each of these charges below.
Legal Definition of False Reporting to Authorities, C.R.S. 18-8-111, in Weld County
The legal definition of False Reporting to Authorities, C.R.S. 18-8-111, in Weld County is:
(1) A person commits false reporting to authorities, if:
(a) He or she knowingly:
(I) 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
(II) 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
(b) He 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 knows that it did not occur; or
(c) 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; or
(d) He or she knowingly provides false identifying information to law enforcement authorities.
The central points of this statute are that when a person falsely reports a fire or emergency, or lies about a crime or their name, law enforcement will file False Reporting to Authorities. This is a common charge which can result when a mistake is made or when you report a lie on purpose. It is common for someone seeking revenge against a former spouse or significant other to report a Domestic Violence crime which did not actually occur. Give us a call, our attorneys can help navigate the details of your case and get you the best possible outcome.
Definition of False Report of Explosives, Weapons or Harmful Substances, C. R. S. 18-8-110, in Greeley and Windsor, Colorado
The definition in Greeley and Windsor of False Report of Explosives, Weapons or Harmful Substances, C. R. S. 18-8-110, is:
Any person who reports to any other person that a bomb or other explosive, any chemical or biological agent, any poison or weapon, or any harmful radioactive substance has been placed in any public or private place or vehicle designed for the transportation of persons or property, knowing that the report is false.
This is the more serious False Reporting offense, when comparing the two criminal charges. The serious nature and danger that a bomb or other explosive, or chemical agent, pose to others is aggressively investigated by law enforcement.
Weld County Sentence and Penalties for False Reporting Charges
In Weld County the sentence for False Reporting to Authorities is typically a class 2 misdemeanor with penalties of up to 120 days in the Weld County Jail and up to $750 in fines. But False Reporting of an emergency is a class 1 misdemeanor if a person is injured or must be evacuated because of the report.
False Reporting Explosives, Weapons, or Harmful substances is a class 6 felony punishable by 12 to 18 months in the Colorado Department of Corrections and between $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
Experienced Greeley, Colorado, Attorney in False Reporting Charge Cases
Facing a False Reporting charge in Greeley? It is important to have a skilled attorney who can fight for your rights and form a strong defense. The attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office have over 30 years of experience in getting the best outcome for our clients.