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 Florida, making a false police report about a criminal offense is illegal under Florida Statute 817.49. This statute makes it a misdemeanor of the first degree to knowingly give false information to a law enforcement officer concerning the alleged commission of any crime. The act must be done with the intent to mislead or deceive the officer. If convicted, an individual may face penalties including up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Additionally, the individual may be sentenced to probation and required to perform community service. The severity of the punishment can vary based on the circumstances of the case and the discretion of the court.