New jersey criminal charge
False reports to law enforcement authorities in New jersey
False reports to law enforcement authorities is a criminal offense under New jersey law, defined by N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4. Its classification is not fixed: New jersey 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 N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4.
What is the penalty for false reports to law enforcement authorities in New jersey?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | 3 years to 5 years (Falsely incriminating another - base offense — A person knowingly gives or causes to be given false information to a law enforcement officer with purpose to implicate another, and the false information does not implicate the person in a crime of the first or second degree.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 15000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Falsely incriminating another - base offense — A person knowingly gives or causes to be given false information to a law enforcement officer with purpose to implicate another, and the false information does not implicate the person in a crime of the first or second degree.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | 5 years to 10 years (Falsely incriminating another - enhanced (first/second degree crime implicated) — The false information given would implicate the other person in a crime of the first or second degree.; presumption of imprisonment (2C:44-1(d))) | presumptive | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 150000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Falsely incriminating another - enhanced (first/second degree crime implicated) — The false information given would implicate the other person in a crime of the first or second degree.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3); offense-specific ceilings may exceed) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Jail / prison | up to 18 months (no statutory minimum) (Fictitious reports — A person reports or causes to be reported a fictitious offense or incident, or pretends to furnish information relating to an offense or incident when he has no such information.; first-offender presumption of non-incarceration may apply (2C:44-1(e), carve-outs)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
| Fine | up to 10000 usd (no statutory minimum) (Fictitious reports — A person reports or causes to be reported a fictitious offense or incident, or pretends to furnish information relating to an offense or incident when he has no such information.; or up to double gain/loss (2C:43-3)) | discretionary | N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6 |
Applies to current.
How is false reports to law enforcement authorities classified in New jersey?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falsely incriminating another - base offense | crime of the third degree | A person knowingly gives or causes to be given false information to a law enforcement officer with purpose to implicate another, and the false information does not implicate the person in a crime of the first or second degree. | N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4undefined |
| Falsely incriminating another - enhanced (first/second degree crime implicated) | crime of the second degree | The false information given would implicate the other person in a crime of the first or second degree. | N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4undefined |
| Fictitious reports | crime of the fourth degree | A person reports or causes to be reported a fictitious offense or incident, or pretends to furnish information relating to an offense or incident when he has no such information. | N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4undefined |
Common questions about false reports to law enforcement authorities in New jersey
What degree of offense is false reports to law enforcement authorities in New Jersey?
It depends on the circumstances: false reports to law enforcement authorities ranges from a crime of the fourth degree to a crime of the second degree in New Jersey under N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4.
Falsely incriminating another - base offense: crime of the third degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4) · Falsely incriminating another - enhanced (first/second degree crime implicated): crime of the second degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4) · Fictitious reports: crime of the fourth degree (N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4)
What are the penalties for false reports to law enforcement authorities in New Jersey?
Penalties for false reports to law enforcement authorities in New Jersey depend on how it is classified — from a crime of the fourth degree up to a crime of the second degree — with the ranges set by N.J.S.A. 2C:43-6; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which New Jersey statute covers false reports to law enforcement authorities?
False reports to law enforcement authorities is governed by N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4 (False reports to law enforcement authorities).
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.