Being questioned by the police does not always mean you are in trouble. They might be conducting an investigation and believe you have information that might help. Whether the police seek you out or you go to them, it is a bad idea to knowingly give them false information. Depending on the circumstances, you might face serious criminal charges.

The exact charges you face will depend on the circumstances surrounding the situation. Falsely reporting a crime to incriminate someone may be charged as a second-degree misdemeanor or higher, based on the circumstances. If you provide false information to the police regarding a criminal investigation, you might face charges related to obstructing or hindering the investigation. Although this might feel overwhelming, you have the right to defend yourself. If you provided false information by mistake or were forced to lie, tell your attorney about it.

For a free, private case review, call our Philadelphia criminal defense lawyers with the Liberty Law Team at (215) 826-3314.

Charges for Providing False Reports to the Police

Various criminal charges might apply if someone knowingly provides the police with false information.

One possibility is that you may be charged for providing false criminal complaints. Contacting the police and reporting a crime that did not occur, or knowingly trying to falsely incriminate someone in a crime that actually did happen, may result in serious consequences.

Another possibility is that a person gives the police false or misleading information during an investigation. The police might talk to numerous people about an alleged offense, and you must be honest. If you knowingly give false information, it could derail the investigation, and you might face charges.

Some statutes specifically mention charges for lying to the police. Many fraud offenses, such as insurance fraud, contain specific language about how providing false information to the authorities is a criminal offense.

Charges for Reporting False Criminal Complaints in Pennsylvania

People sometimes lie to the police about a crime to get someone else in trouble. While the person responsible might think their actions are justified, they may face serious consequences. Charges for falsely incriminating another may be graded as second-degree misdemeanors, according to 18 Pa.C.S. § 4906(a).

Under subsection (b) of the same law, you may be criminally charged for filing a fictitious report. This is different from falsely incriminating someone because this offense involves completely fabricating a crime rather than implicating someone in a real one. Alleged offenders may be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor.

If a person is charged with giving false information or reports to the police during a state of emergency, thereby diverting law enforcement resources, they may be charged one grade higher. A person may also be charged one grade higher if the false information or report pertains to the theft or loss of a firearm.

What Happens if You Lie to the Police About a Criminal Investigation

Lying to the police is almost never a good idea. Depending on the circumstances, you might be charged for interfering with a formal investigation. Remember, if the police accuse you of lying, our Bensalem, PA criminal defense lawyers will make them prove it.

If the police ask you questions regarding a criminal investigation and you knowingly give them false information, you could be charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution under § 5105(5). This may come up if the police suspect someone you care about has committed a crime, so you lie to the police to help your loved one.

You may be charged with a second-degree misdemeanor. However, if the person you are lying for is charged with a first- or second-degree felony, providing false information to the police may be charged as a third-degree felony.

Other Ways You May Be Charged for Giving the Police False Information

A common example of charges for lying to the police involves insurance fraud. Insurance fraud on its own is already a serious offense, but it often requires perpetrators to file false reports with the police. Insurance companies often require police reports to support claims, and you may be charged with filing false reports.

You may also be charged for providing false identification to the authorities. This might involve giving the police someone else’s ID or a fake ID during a traffic stop. This creates a lot of confusion if someone is arrested, and once the authorities determine the defendant’s true identity, they will likely face charges.

Even if you do not give the police false information, you might be charged with knowingly withholding important information. For example, saying you do not know anything when you actually know something important about a criminal investigation might lead to penalties, especially if it delays the arrest and prosecution of a suspect.

What if I Provide False Information to the Police by Mistake?

Occasionally, people provide information to the police that they believe to be accurate, but later discover they were mistaken. While this can be a setback for the police in criminal investigations, it likely will not lead to criminal charges.

To face charges, a person must knowingly provide the authorities with false information. They must be aware that the information is wrong. If you give the police incorrect information, but you had a good faith belief it was true, you should not be charged. If you are, we may need to prove that you believed the information was true.

Once you realized the information was wrong, did you contact the authorities to inform them? If you did, this may bode well for you, as it demonstrates that you did not intend to deceive the authorities. If you did not, an attorney can help you contact the police and explain what happened.

How to Defend Against Charges for Giving Pennsylvania Police False Information

If you are accused of knowingly lying to the police or otherwise giving them false or misleading information, you should call an attorney immediately. If the authorities accuse you of lying, we will make them prove it or drop the charges.

As mentioned before, you must be aware that the information was false to be charged. If we have evidence that you were given false information that you then relayed to the police, but you did not know it was false at the time, we may be able to challenge the charges successfully.

Another possibility is that you are accused of withholding information from the police during a criminal investigation. However, you might have done so to avoid self-incrimination. The police cannot compel someone to incriminate themselves. If this sounds like your situation, talk to a lawyer immediately.

Contact Our Pennsylvania Criminal Defense Attorneys for Help Today

For a free, private case review, call our Lower Merion, PA criminal defense lawyers with the Liberty Law Team at (215) 826-3314.