Tennessee Criminal Lawyer Blog

Tennessee criminal defense lawyers can assist you if you are charged with making false reports in Tennessee. Typically, a charge of false reports will accompany some other charge, and can happen in an indefinite number of different situations. The offense is considered to be a crime of dishonesty. Any crime of dishonesty has the potential to follow the offender in an adverse manner for the rest of his or her life.

The state treats false reports seriously. Most district attorney offices and police departments are extremely busy, and every resource is utilized to the fullest extent. To a large degree, these branches operate reactively instead of proactively due to the high volume of cases dealt with. When these branches waste resources due to false reports, it takes time and attention away from battling real crimes.

A person can be prosecuted for false reports under three different theories under Tennessee law. In Tennessee, it is unlawful for any person to:

• Initiate a report or statement to a law enforcement officer concerning an offense or incident within the officer's concern knowing that: 1) the offense or incident reported did not occur; 2) the person has no information relating to the offense or incident reported; or 3) the information relating to the offense reported is false; or

• Make a report or statement in response to a legitimate inquiry by a law enforcement officer concerning a material fact about an offense or incident within the officer's concern, knowing that the report or statement is false and with the intent to obstruct or hinder the officer from: 1) preventing the offense or incident from occurring or continuing to occur; or 2) apprehending or locating another person suspected of committing an offense; or

• Intentionally initiate or circulate a report of a past, present, or impending bombing, fire or other emergency, knowing that the report is false or baseless and knowing: 1) it will cause action of any sort by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with those emergencies; 2) it will place a person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury; or 3) it will prevent or interrupt the occupation of any building, place of assembly, form of conveyance, or any other place to which the public has access. Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-16-502 (2008).

The penalties for false reports in Tennessee are substantial. A violation under the first two bullets above is a Class D felony. A violation of the last bullet above is a Class C felony. If you are charge with false reports, contact a Tennessee criminal defense attorney. Our office handles false reports and other crimes in Knoxville, Johnson City, Sevierville, Morristown, Maryville, Alcoa, Newport, and Loudon.