In California, if you provide false information to a police officer, such as lying about your own name or birth date, you can be charged with a misdemeanor and punished by up to 6 months in jail and a fine of a $1000. If convicted of providing false info to law enforcement, you can also suffer long-term negative consequences, including a criminal record and trouble winning a child custody lawsuit.
Whether you actually deceived a law officer or not – and whether you intended to or not – you want to understand a little more about how California views this crime and avail yourself of top-quality resources to build a sturdy defense.
Common Situations that Lead to "False Reporting" Charges
- Police officer does not believe your story
In certain cases, a vindictive or uninformed police officer may simply not believe your story, and you could wind up saddled with a false reporting charge. Your Newport Beach criminal defense attorney can fight back against by demonstrating, for instance, that the officer had no grounds to disbelieve you and had no evidence to show that you had made a false claim.
- You lied about someone’s name, identity, or actions
Whether you lied outright or accidently misreported information, your attorney can work to find a fair solution. Under certain circumstances, your attorney may try to plea bargain the charges down; in other cases, the attorney may break down the prosecution’s case by probing the evidence or undercutting the prosecution’s line of reasoning.
- False reporting to a Grand Jury
If you make a false statement to a grand jury, your Orange County defense attorney will meticulously review what you said and develop an appropriate response to the charges.
Managing the Uncertainty and Fear
White collar crime defendants often face multiple counts – or, at the very least, other imminent sources of stress. For instance, maybe you lied to the police when they asked for information about a crime your teenage son committed. Now, in addition to dealing with your son’s legal troubles, you’re also struggling to deal with your own charge.
To manage this complexity, you need good resources to help you engage with your legal tasks without getting overwhelmed by them. Maltaise Cini, a reputable Orange County criminal defense lawyer can provide the professional representation you need. Attorney Cini has more than 17 years of experience practicing criminal law and has worked on thousands of criminal defense cases — from simple theft to homicide cases. Call her office now for a free and confidential consultation at 949-660-1389, or learn more about her firm at www.maltaisecinilaw.com.