CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

Los Angeles Police Officers Issuing False Reports

False Police Officers Report in Los Angeles: What You Need to Know

Police officers in Los Angeles play a critical role in society. They control traffic, investigate crimes, and make arrests in a bid to keep the community safe. Unfortunately, some police officers issue untrue statements in their reports, which have the potential to cause severe harm. Consequently, it has become a crime to file false reports in Los Angeles.

Explaining False Police Officers’ Reports

In most cases, when police officers make an arrest or conduct an investigation, they are required to file out a report that details the incident. These reports could either be an arrest report, an incident report, or any documentation that highlights the purpose and nature of the action. As per the law, these reports should always contain accurate information.

As per the California Penal Code 118.1, including false information in a police report is a criminal offense punishable by law if the police officer willingly and knowingly includes such information in an investigative or crime report. Additionally, the arrest report doesn’t have to be endorsed by the said police officer for this crime to take effect. If an officer enters false information into an arrest report, for instance, he or she may be charged with a crime.

Examples of the Crime

Officer Martinez pulls over a car with a broken taillight and detects a weed smell. After searching the car, Officer Martinez finds nothing, but still places the driver under arrest for driving under the influence of drugs. In his report, Officer Martinez falsely indicates that the driver was smoking marijuana while driving and began to act combatively when he was approached.
If the court later learns that Officer Martinez knowingly filed out a falsified police report, he could be prosecuted or lose his job.

Legal Penalties for Filing False Police Reports

The crime of filing a false police report carries different consequences depending on the case’s circumstances. If convicted in a court of law, the police officer may face a misdemeanor or a felony charge. These charges carry different penalties, such as:

Probation and up to one year in county jail for a misdemeanor.
Up to 3 years in prison for a felony.
Possible disciplinary action within the police department, including termination.

Legal Defenses for People Facing False Police Report Charges

In California, every person deserves fairness and justice. Unfortunately, when police officers falsify reports, they violate people’s civil rights. No one should be convicted for a crime he or she did not commit. Suppose you realize that you are facing criminal charges on the basis of a false police report filed by a police officer. In that case, it is essential to consult a criminal defense attorney to help you protect your rights.

Skilled attorneys can introduce several defenses to help protect their clients. For instance, they could prove to the court that:

The actions listed in the police report never happened.
The police officer included false information in the arrest report.
You were convicted based on falsified information.

If your attorney proves that you were the victim of a falsified police report, your conviction can be overturned, allowing you to move on with your life.

Conclusion

Police officers must always act with integrity, honesty, and impartiality. Their work is critical in creating a safer and fairer society. With penalties that range from probation to imprisonment, it is essential to discourage police officers from filing false reports. In case you are facing criminal charges based on a false police report, seek legal assistance from skillful attorneys immediately. Remember, your rights deserve protection, and you should not pay for something you did not do.