Lexington Obstructing Justice Attorney
Making a phony complaint, filing a false police report or misrepresenting your identity to law enforcement officers or personnel are all considered crimes in South Carolina. These actions are more commonly known as providing false information. While it may not seem like a big deal to fib your way out of a compromising situation, depending on the false information provided, you could find yourself in jail anywhere from 30 days to five years — all for simply lying to a police officer.
At the Law Offices of Richard J. Breibart, LLC, we know that there are always two sides to every story. Being arrested in connection with a crime does not mean you are guilty. To learn how our South Carolina providing false information lawyers can help you with your charges of filing a false police report or giving false information to emergency personnel, call 866-645-8743 or contact our office online.
Providing False Information in South Carolina
Charges of providing false information most commonly come up after a false ID was provided at a traffic stop or in criminal domestic violence cases when alleged victims try to change their stories. This law can be violated by:
- Providing a false name to a police officer
- Providing a fake, counterfeit or "borrowed" driver's license
- Filing a police report about a felony or misdemeanor that you know did not happen
- Making a false complaint to police alleging the crime of another
- Knowingly giving false information to a rescue squad or fire department in medical or fire emergencies
In some cases, a charge of providing false information or lying to police may even be a preamble to more serious charges, such as insurance fraud.
Generally, these charges are considered crimes of public corruption in South Carolina and, in addition to fines, carry the potential for jail time. For most charges of providing false information, jail time is limited to 30 days, but filing a false felony report to police could result in up to five years in prison. Under certain circumstances, providing false information can also be considered felony perjury, which can have even more significant consequences.
Defending Against False Information Charges
To convict someone of filing a false police report or providing false information, the prosecution must prove that person knowingly made an untrue statement. When appropriate, our criminal defense lawyers will work to establish that your deception was not intentional. It may have been a situation where police simply misunderstood you, or you made a mistake because you were nervous or frightened.
To learn more about how we can help with your providing false information charge or any other white collar criminal charge, contact our Lexington office by calling 866-645-8743 or sending us an email.We serve the entire region and state, from Sumter County to Edgefield County and all places in between.
