While most people never expect themselves to face criminal charges, making a false report to law enforcement is a charge that many people would never expect to see themselves facing. In fact, many of our clients are shocked when they come to find out that this crime has been tacked onto a citation along with another crime, such as DUI. Get help with dealing with false reporting charges from the defense team at Rosenstein Law Group, start by scheduling your free initial consultation online here or by calling (480) 248-7666.
One of the most common ways our office sees this crime charged is during the preliminary stages of a DUI investigation. The usual situation occurs when an officer stops a vehicle and then following the stop, approaches the driver and asks: “how much have you had to drink tonight?” Impulsively, a lot of people tell the officer “I’ve had nothing to drink.” Thereafter, if the officer charges the individual with DUI charges, they may pair those charges with false reporting charges.
False reporting in Arizona is a class 1 misdemeanor, however the implications of a false reporting charges 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 being charged with false reporting in Gilbert, given the damning repercussions, it is critical that you consult with a skilled attorney who can walk you through what your options are. Depending on your specific situation, these charges may be able to be mitigated. Call (480) 248-7666 for a free consultation so that we can come up with a strategy to protect your reputation.