It might seem funny to pull a fire alarm or call 911, but in Weld County it could land you with a False Reporting charge. When a person sees that it is a misdemeanor offense, they might brush it off. However, spending up to 6 months in jail and facing a large fine is not something to take lightly – this is not a “fun” prank. The lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office take every criminal charge seriously and fight for you and your best outcome. Below, our lawyers discuss these 5 Facts they want you to know about a False Reporting charge:
- Definition of False Reporting, C. R. S. 18-8-111, in Greeley, Colorado
- What are Examples in Weld County of False Reporting to Authorities
- Penalties for False Reporting in Greeley, Colorado
- Defenses to False Reporting to Authorities in Weld County
- Charges Related to False Reporting
#1. Definition of False Reporting, C. R. S. 18-8-111, in Greeley, Colorado
A person commits false reporting to authorities, if:
(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.
#2. What are Examples in Weld County of False Reporting to Authorities?
In Weld County, some examples of False Reporting to Authorities can be:
- Pulling a fire alarm or exit alarm when there is no emergency
- Giving information to authorities that presents false information
- Using a false identity to report an emergency to the Greeley Police
- Reporting an emergency using information that is false
- Telling Greeley Police that someone committed a crime against you, to get back at them
It is important to note that a person must “knowingly” give false information, if they know the information is false then they could be charged with False Reporting to Authorities. While some of these potential situations may seem funny, it is very important to not call the police unless an actual emergency is happening. Otherwise, you could be facing a criminal charge.
#3. Penalties for a False Reporting Charge in Greeley, Colorado
The penalties for False Reporting in Greeley are a class 3 misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 6 months of jail time and fines between $50 and $750. In cases where a person deliberately causes an alarm to go off while committing another crime, it would be a Colorado class 2 misdemeanor. A class 2 misdemeanor is punishable by 3 to 12 months in Weld County Jail, and fines between $250 to $1,000. It is important to note that it is an extraordinary risk crime if the threat causes the occupants of a location to be evacuated or displaced or if the emergency response results in bodily injury to another person.
#4. Defenses to False Reporting to Authorities in Weld County
Having an experienced criminal defense lawyer who can help you navigate the Weld County Courts is the best for your case. Every case is different, however some common defenses in a False Reporting to Authorities charge are:
- The reporting person believed an emergency was taking place
- An emergency did occur, just not the one thought by police
- The defendant thought the information was correct, but some details were inaccurate
#5. Related Charges to False Reporting in Greeley, Colorado
With a False Reporting charge in Greeley, a person can find themselves facing other related charges. Related charges could be:
- Obstructing a Peace Officer, C.R.S. 18-8-104
- False Report of Explosives, Weapons or Harmful Substances, C. R. S. § 18-8-110
- Attempting to Influence a Public Official, C.R.S. 18-8-306
If you have been charged with False Reporting to Authorities, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 to schedule your free consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
Photo by Oleg Magni from Pexels