Florida criminal charge
False information to law enforcement during investigation in Florida
False information to law enforcement during investigation is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 837.055. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 837.055.
What is the penalty for false information to law enforcement during investigation in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (False information during missing person or felony investigation — Knowingly and willfully giving false information to a law enforcement officer conducting a missing person investigation or a felony criminal investigation, with intent to mislead or impede.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (False information during missing person or felony investigation — Knowingly and willfully giving false information to a law enforcement officer conducting a missing person investigation or a felony criminal investigation, with intent to mislead or impede.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (False information during missing child investigation resulting in great bodily harm, disability, disfigurement, or death — Knowingly and willfully giving false information to a law enforcement officer conducting a missing person investigation involving a child 16 or younger, with intent to mislead or impede, where the child suffers great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (False information during missing child investigation resulting in great bodily harm, disability, disfigurement, or death — Knowingly and willfully giving false information to a law enforcement officer conducting a missing person investigation involving a child 16 or younger, with intent to mislead or impede, where the child suffers great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is false information to law enforcement during investigation classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| False information during missing person or felony investigation | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | Knowingly and willfully giving false information to a law enforcement officer conducting a missing person investigation or a felony criminal investigation, with intent to mislead or impede. | Fla. Stat. § 837.055(1) |
| False information during missing child investigation resulting in great bodily harm, disability, disfigurement, or death | Felony of the Third Degree | Knowingly and willfully giving false information to a law enforcement officer conducting a missing person investigation involving a child 16 or younger, with intent to mislead or impede, where the child suffers great bodily harm, permanent disability, permanent disfigurement, or death. | Fla. Stat. § 837.055(2) |
Common questions about false information to law enforcement during investigation in Florida
Is false information to law enforcement during investigation a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: false information to law enforcement during investigation ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 837.055.
False information during missing person or felony investigation: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.055(1)) · False information during missing child investigation resulting in great bodily harm, disability, disfigurement, or death: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.055(2))
What are the penalties for false information to law enforcement during investigation in Florida?
Penalties for false information to law enforcement during investigation in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree up to a Felony of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers false information to law enforcement during investigation?
False information to law enforcement during investigation is governed by Fla. Stat. § 837.055 (False information to law enforcement during investigation).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.