Whether during interviews or when filing a police report, it’s illegal to give law enforcement officials in New Jersey false information. If someone does just that and falsely names you in a police report, it’s important that you know what to do next.
It’s against the law to knowingly give police officers false information in New Jersey. This is meant to deter individuals from filing false police reports against innocent people, although, unfortunately, such damaging events do happen. If someone knowingly gave New Jersey police officers false information about you in a police report, don’t speak to the police and hire a lawyer right away. Your criminal defense attorney will aim to prove that the contents of a police report are false and led to your unnecessary arrest.
If you’ve recently been arrested in New Jersey, it’s important to hire an attorney as soon as possible. For a free case evaluation with the Atlantic CIty criminal defense attorneys at Lombardo Law Group, LLC, call today at (609) 445-4300.
Is it Against New Jersey Law to Knowingly Give Police Officers False Information?
In New Jersey, it’s against the law to knowingly give police officers false information, whether during questioning or when filing a police report. That means that if someone falsely named you in a police report, they’ve broken the law.
Lying to the police is considered obstruction of justice in many cases. Knowingly giving false information to law enforcement, whether you provide a fake ID or give a false alibi, is illegal. When individuals say anything to police officers that isn’t the total and complete truth, they’ve broken the law in New Jersey.
If you’re brought in for questioning by New Jersey law enforcement officials and knowingly provide false information, that’s against the law. According to N.J.S.A. § 2C:29-3(7), giving false information to impede another’s arrest is illegal. However, so is intentionally lying to implicate another person in a crime, according to N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4(a).So, whether the intention is to hurt or help another person, knowingly providing false information to police officers in New Jersey is illegal. New Jersey law explicitly states that if someone filed a false police report against you, that’s illegal as well.
Why is it Illegal to Give New Jersey Police Officers False Information?
Giving false information to police officers is illegal because of the damaging effect such actions often have. Intentionally giving New Jersey police officers false information can lead to the arrest of an innocent individual. Lying to law enforcement officials can also harm your defense if you are charged with a crime.
Lying to the police can forever alter a person’s life. When someone files a false police report, naming you as a perpetrator, you may never recover from the accusations against you. It can tarnish your reputation and relationships with loved ones and your community.
In addition, giving New Jersey police officers false information can impede an investigation. If a person intentionally names you as a perpetrator while knowing full well you are not, it can prevent true justice from being served. Such harmful actions can affect individuals and entire communities, which is why knowingly giving police officers false information is illegal in New Jersey.
Lying to police officers can also give them a reason to investigate you. Suppose you’re brought in for questioning regarding a crime in New Jersey and give false information, even if you are unconnected to the crime itself. In that case, police officers may include you in their investigation, which is certainly not ideal.
If you are charged with a crime in New Jersey and lied to police officers, that can hurt your defense. Be careful what you say to law enforcement officials during each interaction, and call your New Jersey criminal defense attorney whenever police officers question you.
What if You’re Arrested Based on False Information in New Jersey?If you’re facing criminal charges in New Jersey because someone knowingly gave police officers wrong information, hire an attorney right away. Our Mays Landing criminal defense attorneys will aim to prove that the police report that led to your arrest was false. If the charges against you stemmed from false information you provided to law enforcement officials, reach out to a lawyer immediately.
Whether they’re an angry neighbor or a mistaken witness, someone give false information to police officers in New Jersey that incriminated you. Although it’s against the law, that doesn’t stop people from filing false police reports that can upend an innocent person’s life. If someone gave New Jersey police officers false information about you, which led to your arrest, hire an attorney.
Your experienced attorney will investigate the charges against you and prove your innocence. Our goal is to show that the police report that named you was inaccurate and fictitious. If the circumstances of your arrest were not warranted, our attorneys will aim to get the charges against you dropped. When someone files a false police report against you, they should be the ones facing criminal charges for breaking the law in New Jersey.
If you’re arrested because of false information you’ve given to police during the course of an investigation, hire an attorney. Intentionally or unintentionally misleading New Jersey law enforcement officials can complicate an investigation and point them in your direction. If you’re arrested in connection to a larger crime or for obstruction of justice, reach out to a lawyer right away.
How to Avoid Giving New Jersey Police Officers False Information
If you’re brought in for questioning by New Jersey law enforcement officials based on a false police report, keep calm. Although you may be understandably frustrated in such a situation, it’s important to stay quiet and wait for your New Jersey criminal defense attorney to arrive.
When police officers suspect you of a crime because someone filed a false police report against you, they may try to bait you into misspeaking. As a general rule, it is never wise to speak to law enforcement officials without your Camden County criminal defense attorney present. Police officers tend to employ interrogation tactics that can confuse and overwhelm the individuals they question. This can cause you to unintentionally give police officers false information that can ultimately hurt your defense.
Refrain from speaking with New Jersey police officers, even if the charges against you are unwarranted. Don’t say anything until your attorney is present. Your lawyer will help you navigate such a difficult situation and help you avoid giving law enforcement officials false or contradictory information, even unknowingly.
Call Our Criminal Defense Attorneys if You’ve Been Arrested in New Jersey
If you’re facing criminal charges in New Jersey, turn to a legal team you can trust. For a free case evaluation with the Linwood, NJ criminal defense attorneys at Lombardo Law Group, LLC, call today at (609) 445-4300.
