False Reporting Defense Lawyers in Fort Myers and Naples, FL
False reporting may not seem like a serious charge – after all, it’s commonly no more than a juvenile prank. But Florida police and legislatures take this crime very seriously. In fact, many people accused of false reporting face felony charges. If you have been charged with false reporting of a crime, please call a Cape Coral criminal attorney.
When you falsely report a misdemeanor crime, you may be punished by up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. If the crime you reported was a felony, for example a bomb threat or a bank robbery, you will be charged with a felony. In these situations, you may be subject to a 4 year prison term and fines of up to $2,000. For a second or subsequent conviction, you may be imprisoned for up to 10 years and be charged $5,000 in fines. A Cape Coral criminal lawyer can help defend you from the allegations and negotiate for minimal sentencing if you are convicted.
Fortunately for those charged with falsely reporting a crime, there are multiple defenses open to a Port Charlotte Attorney. The most common excuse is that you actually believed a crime was occurring at the time you reported the crime. If, for example, you saw someone with a mask entering the bank, it would be understandable if you called the police believing a bank robbery was in progress.
Sometimes victims of real crimes, such as domestic violence, are threatened with false reporting charges when they refuse to press charges. This form of extortion will not stand up to our crime defense in Cape Coral, FL. If a crime occurred, you have the legal right to contact the police, whether or not you wish to press charges.
If you have been accused of falsely reporting a crime, please contact a Cape Coral criminal attorney from The Law Offices of Michael M. Raheb.
