Criminal Defense Lawyers

False Police Report Lawyer In New Jersey

False Police Report Lawyer in New Jersey

Filing a false police report is a serious criminal offense in New Jersey that can result in jail time, fines, and a permanent criminal record. This article provides an overview of false police report laws in New Jersey, defenses, and how an experienced criminal defense lawyer can help.

What Constitutes a False Police Report in New Jersey?

New Jersey law prohibits knowingly giving false information to law enforcement officers. The main statute covering false police reports is NJ Rev Stat Section 2C:28-4.There are two main ways this law is violated:

• Falsely Incriminating Another – Knowingly giving false information to police to falsely implicate someone else in a crime. This is a 4th degree crime in NJ.
• Filing a Fictitious Report – Reporting a fake incident or offense to police that did not actually occur. This is a disorderly persons offense.

Examples include filing a false report about a burglary, assault, or car accident that never happened. Even lying about minor details in a police report you file can be considered a false police report.

Penalties for False Police Reports in NJ

Penalties depend on whether it is a 4th degree crime or a disorderly persons offense:

• 4th Degree Crime – Up to 18 months in jail and fines up to $10,000.
• Disorderly Persons – Up to 6 months in jail and fines up to $1,000.

Additional consequences can include difficulties finding employment, loss of professional licenses, and harm to reputation.

Why Do People File False Reports?

There are many reasons why individuals file false police reports, such as:

• Revenge – Falsely getting someone arrested.
• Diversion – Diverting attention away from their own crimes.
• Financial Gain – Filing a false insurance claim after staging an accident.
• Mental Health Issues – Delusions or false memories leading to inaccurate reports.

While the motivations vary, filing a false report is never legally justifiable.

Possible Defenses for False Report Charges

There are defenses a knowledgeable criminal lawyer can raise to fight false police report charges, such as:

• Lack of Intent – The report was an innocent mistake, not intended to deceive police.
• Lack of Knowledge – You did not know the information was false when the report was filed.
• Truth – The information in the report was in fact true and accurate.
• Diminished Mental Capacity – Mental disabilities made you unable to distinguish truth from fiction.
• Duress – You were coerced into filing the false report by threats of harm.

An experienced false police report lawyer will thoroughly investigate the circumstances to build the strongest defense.

Finding the Right False Police Report Attorney

If you are under investigation or have been arrested for filing a false police report in New Jersey, it is critical to retain an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately. A skilled attorney can potentially get charges reduced or dismissed.

Here are important tips for finding the best lawyer:

• Find an attorney who specializes in criminal defense with extensive experience representing false report cases.
• Make sure they have a proven track record of positive case results for clients facing similar charges.
• Ask about their specific experience fighting false police report cases in your local courts. Familiarity with local prosecutors is a plus.
• Find an aggressive lawyer who will thoroughly examine the evidence and build the strongest defense.
• Choose a lawyer you feel comfortable with and who makes you feel confident in their abilities. Trust is crucial.
• Discuss legal fees upfront and understand the expected costs. Avoid lawyers who overpromise.
• Hire an attorney who will keep you informed and involved at every stage of the case.

How a False Police Report Lawyer Can Defend You

A qualified false police report lawyer can provide an invaluable defense, including:

• Conducting an independent investigation of the circumstances to find weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
• Aggressively challenging the admissibility and credibility of prosecution evidence.
• Consulting with expert witnesses to undermine the reliability of the state’s witnesses.
• Advancing one of the possible defenses, such as lack of intent, knowledge, or truth of the report.
• Negotiating with the prosecution to get charges reduced or dismissed through plea bargaining.
• Taking the case to trial for an acquittal if plea negotiations fail.
• Helping mitigate penalties and consequences if convicted.

Avoiding False Report Charges

The best way to avoid a false police report charge is simply to never knowingly file a false report. However, if you need to file a report, take measures to ensure accuracy:

• Stick to the facts and do not exaggerate or speculate.
• Avoid guessing or making assumptions. Only include details you know for certain.
• If unsure about a fact, say you do not know rather than guessing.
• Review the report carefully before signing to double check for errors.
• Consult with a lawyer if you have concerns about providing any statements to police.

Conclusion

Filing a false police report is a serious felony charge in New Jersey. The penalties can be severe, so anyone facing such charges needs an experienced criminal defense lawyer. An attorney can often get charges reduced or dismissed. They can also build defenses and negotiate favorable plea bargains. If facing prosecution for filing a false police report, it is vital to retain a knowledgeable lawyer immediately.