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Florida statute

Fla. Stat. § 837.05 — False reports to law enforcement authorities

Current through 2025 Florida Statutes

Part of Chapter 837: Perjury, Florida Statutes.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Fla. Stat. § 837.05

Statutory text current through the 2025 Florida Statutes. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Florida.

Fla. Stat. § 837.05Primary source, current through the 2025 Florida Statutes
(1)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) or subsection (2), a person who knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer concerning the alleged commission of any crime, commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.(b) A person who commits a violation of paragraph (a) commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084, if the person has previously been convicted of a violation of paragraph (a) and subparagraph 1. or subparagraph 2. applies:1. The information the person gave to the law enforcement officer was communicated orally and the officer’s account of that information is corroborated by:a. An audio recording or audio recording in a video of that information;b. A written or recorded statement made by the person who gave that information; orc. Another person who was present when that person gave that information to the officer and heard that information.2. The information the person gave to the law enforcement officer was communicated in writing. (2) A person who knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer concerning the alleged commission of a capital felony, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (3) A court shall order any person convicted of violating this section to pay:(a) The costs of prosecution and investigation under s. 938.27.(b) Restitution to any victim who suffers damage or injury as a proximate result of lawful conduct arising out of a law enforcement response.

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is false reports to law enforcement authorities a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?

It depends on the circumstances: false reports to law enforcement authorities ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 837.05.

False report to law enforcement — first offense: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.05(1)(a)) · False report to law enforcement — repeat offense with corroboration or written statement: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.05(1)(b)) · False report concerning a capital felony: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 837.05(2))

Which Florida statute covers false reports to law enforcement authorities?

False reports to law enforcement authorities is governed by Fla. Stat. § 837.05 (False reports to law enforcement authorities).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.