It is a criminal offense to make a false police report of a crime—knowingly and with the intent to deceive—if the statement is material to a criminal investigation and is made to (1) a peace officer or federal special investigator conducting the investigation; (2) any employee of a law enforcement agency that is authorized by the agency to conduct the investigation and that the person making the statement knows is conducting the investigation; or (3) a corrections officer or jailer.

The crime of making a false police report may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor or as a felony, depending on the state, and is punishable in many states by jail time, fines, community service, and probation. The definitions and punishments for the crime of making a false police report vary from state to state and are usually located in a state’s statutes.

In Alabama, making a false report to law enforcement authorities is a criminal offense under Alabama Code Section 13A-10-9. This statute makes it illegal for a person to knowingly make a false report of a crime or other incident within the jurisdiction of any law enforcement agency with the intent to mislead or hinder the law enforcement agency in its duties. The offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $6,000. If the false report is made with the intent to deceive a peace officer, federal special investigator, an authorized employee of a law enforcement agency, or a corrections officer or jailer, and the report is material to a criminal investigation, the person making the false report may be prosecuted under this statute. The severity of the punishment can vary based on the circumstances and the discretion of the court.