Helping to Defend Those Accused in Fort Worth TX of False Report to a Peace Officer Charges
Are you facing criminal prosecution in Tarrant County, Texas for the crime of False Report to a Peace Officer? If so, it is imperative that you immediately contact an experienced criminal lawyer in Fort Worth, Texas to advise you of your options and research what the Texas Penal Code provides as a defense to your criminal charge of False Report to a Peace Officer.
One of the most common situations in which a citizen of Tarrant County is charged with False Report to a Peace Officer is when they seek to make a clarification and tell the truth about their statement they gave involving a different criminal investigation. For example, it is quite common for the alleged victim in a domestic violence or assault investigation to exaggerate their account of what happened when they are questioned at the scene.
It is human nature to exaggerate facts when an individual is highly emotional and angry about a situation. Quite commonly, the alleged victim will “cool down” and realize that the account they gave to police at the scene was not an accurate representation of what actually happened at the scene. When the alleged victim seeks to tell the truth and inform the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office what actually happened, the prosecutor may seek to charge the alleged victim with the crime of False Report to a Peace Officer. According to Texas Penal Code, Section 37.08, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office will be required to prove the following elements of False Report to a Peace Officer beyond a reasonable doubt:
A person commits the offense of False Report to a Peace Officer if, with intent to deceive, he knowingly makes a false statement that is material to a criminal investigation and makes the statement to a peace officer or federal special investigator conducting the investigation; or any employee of a law enforcement agency that is authorized by the agency to conduct the investigation and that the actor knows is conducting the investigation.
The Texas Penal Code classifies False Report to a Peace Officer as a Class B Misdemeanor. Under Texas law, a Class B Misdemeanor has a range of punishment up to 180 days in the Tarrant County jail and up to a $2,000 fine.
As you can see, facing a False Report to a Peace Officer conviction can create criminal consequences ranging from probation and the imposition of a fine up to jail time required to be served in the Tarrant County jail. If you are facing a False Report to a Peace Officer charge in Tarrant County, it is extremely important to seek counsel from an experienced Fort Worth criminal defense attorney. At The Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys, PLLC, my years of experience as a former Tarrant County Prosecutor and experienced criminal defense lawyer will give you the edge you need to keep you out of jail and to keep this charge off your criminal record.
Call The Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys, PLLC now for a free consultation and an opportunity to speak to me about the facts of your case and the options you have under Texas law. Call Jeff Hampton at The Hampton Criminal Defense Attorneys, PLLC at 817-877-5200.
