WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO GIVE A POLICE OFFICER FALSE INFORMATION?

In one of the cases outlined above (Wynn v. State), the defendant was convicted of both giving false information to the police and obstruction of justice. It is important to realize that making a false statement or giving false information to police in Georgia can lead to other charges, such as obstruction of justice. Obstruction of justice means that an individual has done something to delay, hinder, or otherwise obstruct a police officer in the performance of their official job responsibilities or duties.

Many actions that constitute giving false information to the police can also count as obstruction of justice. One example could be if you communicate deceptive or otherwise false information to a police officer. Destroying evidence could also constitute obstruction of justice. It is important to note that in Georgia, obstruction of justice could count as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the situation.

The penalties for giving false information to the police depend on the exact charge that you receive. If you are found guilty of giving a false name, address, or date of birth to a law enforcement officer in Georgia, you will likely be charged with a misdemeanor. You may receive a penalty of a $1,000 fine, one year in jail, or both if you are convicted.

If you are found guilty of giving a false statement to a police officer in Georgia, you may receive a fine up to $1,000, a prison sentence between one and five years, or both. In Georgia, this is charged as a felony, not a misdemeanor.

If you are convicted of making a false report of a crime in Georgia, you may receive up to $1,000 in fines, up to one year in jail, or both. This is a misdemeanor.

If you are convicted of transmitting a false public alarm, you may be found guilty of a felony and not a misdemeanor. The penalties are much higher for this offense, carrying a minimum of five to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.

If you receive a misdemeanor conviction for obstruction of justice in Georgia, you may receive a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both. This conviction may also come with community service or anger management classes, depending on the nature of the crime.

If you receive a felony conviction for obstruction of justice, you may receive a prison term between one to five years and a fine of at least $300. You may also be required to attend anger management classes or perform community service. Of note, you will be charged with a felony instead of a misdemeanor if you threaten a police officer with violence or actually commit violence against a police officer.

There are a few ways you can fight the charges against you. It’s important to note that just because you were charged with an offense does not mean that you will be convicted. You still may be able to fight the charge.

One possible defense you could present is to claim that you gave a police officer false identifying information (such as your address or date of birth) because you were confused or possibly nervous. To be convicted of giving false information to police in Georgia, it must be intentional with the purpose of misleading a police officer.
A defense against a charge of making a false statement to a police officer could be that you did not realize you were hiding information. Under Georgia law, hiding information is also illegal, but intent matters in this case as well.

Another defense against a charge of giving a police officer a false statement could be that it was an accident. There are a variety of ways in which you may be able to claim this defense. Perhaps you left out a detail that the police officer deems important, but you did not think it was important at the time. Alternatively, maybe you misinterpreted the situation, resulting in false information being given. Once again, Georgia law states that for you to be convicted of giving a false statement, you must willingly and intentionally do so. If you can prove that you mistakenly gave a false statement, you may not be convicted.

These crimes can come with hefty penalties, even including jail time. If you are convicted of giving a false statement to a police officer, you will be charged with a felony. It is in your best interest to defend yourself against a charge before you are convicted, by hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney. Hiring a qualified attorney can ensure that you receive the best representation possible. An attorney who is well-versed in criminal law in Georgia can help craft the best defense for you. Contact Morgan & Morgan today for help.