False Report of a Crime in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Have you been charged with the false reporting of a crime in Fort Lauderdale, FL? It may not seem like a serious criminal charge, but it is. In fact, you may be charged with a felony. Whether you are facing misdemeanor or felony charges for falsely reporting a crime, your Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney can help you defend your freedom.
There are a number of defenses your Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer can use in this situation. Many people charged with falsely reporting a crime really did believe they had reported a real crime. If you were mistaken, but had legitimate reason to believe there was something illegal happening, you should not be prosecuted under this statute. Your attorney for false reporting of a crime can help prove you called the police in good faith.
Additionally, sometimes the police and prosecutors will attempt to force a person to press charges by threatening to charge a victim with false reporting. This is a common situation in domestic violence cases where the victim may choose to not press charges against his or her significant other. If this is your situation, a good criminal defense for false reporting of a crime in Fort Lauderdale can help you fight the unfair extortion by the police and D.A.
If you are convicted of falsely reporting a crime, you may face a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. If the crime you reported was a felony, you could be charged with a felony and could be imprisoned for up to 4 years and forced to pay fines up to $2,000. On a subsequent conviction, you may be imprisoned for 10 years and be required to pay $5,000 in fines.
Don’t take your chances in a falsely reported crime case. contact an excellent Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer from The Stella Law Firm to know more about your options in this situation.