Filing a Report

Most times, it is a good idea to file a police report, but if it is warranted. The document can be useful down later in life if someone has wronged you. A police report can be used as evidence in future trials, to obtain a PFA (Protection From Abuse Order), and to handle car insurance claims, to name a few. But what happens if someone files a police report that is not justified?

§ 4906.  False reports to law enforcement authorities.

In Pennsylvania, it is a misdemeanor in the second degree for a person to “knowingly gives false information to any law enforcement officer with the intent to implicate another”. It is also a misdemeanor in the third degree if a person “reports to law enforcement authorities an offense or other incident within their concern knowing that it did not occur or pretends to furnish such authorities with information relating to an offense or incident when he knows he has no information relating to such offense or incident.”

Broken Down

  • Second Degree Misdemeanor
    • Giving information to the police that would implicate/get another person in trouble.
      • Saying your neighbor stole a package to get them in trouble.
  • Third Degree Misdemeanor
    • Creating an incident that did not happen and reporting it the the police.
      • Saying your house was broken into and destroyed after a party.
    • Giving false information to the police for an accident that did happen but you did not witness.
      • Telling the police you witnessed a vehicle in a hit-and-run, giving them a description of the car, but not actually seeing the accident.

Law Office of Vincent J. Caputo

In order to be charged in filing a false police report, the prosecution must show “mens rea” or that you intentionally filed the report knowing it to be false. It will take an experienced legal team to defend against these types of charges. The Law Office of Vincent J. Caputo is here to assist in all criminal complaints against you or your loved ones. Your future? Our priority!