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In Arizona, you can face class 1 misdemeanor charges if you knowingly make a false statement, fraudulent or unfounded report, or misrepresent a fact to a law enforcement agency to interfere with the orderly operation of a law enforcement agency or mislead a police officer. Essentially, if you lie to the police, you may face criminal charges.
People can do out-of-character things when they are under the influence or scared; unfortunately, what you do when stopped by the police can land you in trouble. Giving false information to an Arizona police officer can result in criminal charges, carrying penalties, and a permanent criminal record. If you or a loved one are facing criminal charges in Arizona for providing false information to the police – call an Arizona criminal defense attorney at Rosenstein Law Group.
You can defend against these charges with the help of a proven Arizona criminal defense lawyer. Discuss the details by calling (480) 248-7666.
A False Reporting charge may stem from a person giving the police a fake name when pulled over for speeding or lying about their age in an attempt avoid a minor in possession of alcohol charge. But you may be charged with False Reporting for making statements that are far less sinister. We see clients charged with False Reporting during DUI investigations with relative frequency. The common scenario is that during the course of a traffic stop a police officer will ask a person how much they have had to drink. That person, knowing that they consumed some alcohol before driving, but fearing that the officer is going to arrest them for a DUI, will say something along the lines of “I haven’t had anything to drink.” The police officer will conduct their DUI investigation and, if they determine that you in fact had consumed alcohol, they may arrest you for the DUI and False Reporting.
False Reporting to Arizona Law Enforcement is a class 1 misdemeanor that may lead to penalties of up to 6 months in jail, 3 years of probation, and a $2500 fine. Aside from the potential jail, probation and fine, a consequence that many people are unaware of is that False Reporting is considered a crime involving dishonesty. In the legal world, this is often referred to as a crime involving moral turpitude. This is an important consequence to be aware of because it could have an effect on your ability to gain or maintain employment in many fields, including medical, financial or legal fields. Some professional licenses or security clearances may also be affected by a crime involving moral turpitude. Even if you do not hold a professional license, a False Reporting conviction that pops up on a background check will be a red flag for most employers. Additionally, a crime involving moral turpitude can affect a person’s immigration status or deem them inadmissible, causing them to be ineligible for a permanent resident card, adjustment of legal status, re-entry, or naturalization.
The Rosenstein Law Group offers free consultations and preliminary case evaluations for False Reporting charges. You need an aggressive attorney to help reduce or eliminate the potentially severe consequences of a criminal conviction for False Reporting. Contact us at 480-248-7666 or online to schedule your free consultation today.