With all the media coverage about police brutality and excessive force, it’s not surprising some people are trying to take advantage of the situation. For one man, however, when he alleged police assault, it did not end up working in his favor. This man was originally arrested for charges including Stalking and Sexual Assault. While in a holding cell, he reported to deputies that detectives had assaulted him during an interview. At this point, he had many facial injuries including two black eyes. The complaint was passed on to the sergeant in charge of detectives, who did a little detective work. Upon reviewing video footage of the holding cell, the sergeant witnessed the man hit himself in the face over 40 times. When the man was confronted with this information, he confessed to lying about the assault. He told the officers he was hoping the story would help him get out of jail early. Now, instead of just facing his initial charges, he has been sentenced for False Reporting and received an extra 20 days in jail along with a $100 fine…and an embarrassing story to boot!
False Reporting in Weld County
C.R.S. 18-8-111(1)(b) – False Reporting to Authorities – is defined by Colorado law as:
(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
The man in the story above reported a crime, which he knew did not occur. We have seen cases where, in an act of revenge, a woman has reported her ex-boyfriend is harassing her. When the police look into the claims, it is determined the report was unfounded and the woman faces False Reporting charges.
There are other instances, which also fall under the False Reporting statute. We have defended clients who got this charge for giving a police officer a fake name or incomplete information in Greeley, Evans, or Erie. Usually, this occurs during a traffic stop when the accused has their driver’s license suspended or revoked.
If you or a loved one has been charged with False Reporting, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call the experienced attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at (970) 616-6009. We can meet with you at our Northern Colorado office or even schedule a Weld County Jail visit. Together, we can protect your future.
Image Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net – Danilo Rizzuti