Telling the truth. Most of us probably consider ourselves honest people and value honesty as a trait that is important in society. Making a false report to Chandler law enforcement is a charge that many people would never expect to see themselves facing, and many of our clients are indeed shocked when they come to find out that they have been charged with this crime.
One of the most common ways our office sees this crime charged out of Chandler is during the preliminary stages of a DUI investigation. The typical situation occurs when a Chandler officer stops a vehicle and then following the stop, approaches the driver, and asks, “how much have you had to drink tonight?” Impulsively, many people tell the officer, “I’ve had nothing to drink.” After that, if the Chandler officer charges the individual with DUI charges, they may pair those charges with false reporting charges.
False reporting in Chandler, Arizona, is a class 1 misdemeanor. However, the implications of a false reporting charge can go beyond the maximum penalties of a class 1 misdemeanor. False reporting is what’s known as a crime of moral turpitude. A crime of moral turpitude is a crime that involves dishonesty. Having a crime like this on your record can be extremely damaging and result in being barred from job opportunities that would otherwise be available to you. Employers are especially prone to dismissing an applicant who has a crime of moral turpitude—especially any job requiring the handling of money or valuable company assets.
If you find yourself charged with false reporting in Chandler, given the damaging repercussions, it is critical that you consult with a skilled Chandler defense attorney who can walk you through what your options are. Call (480) 248-7666 for a free consultation so that we can come up with a strategy to protect your reputation.