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 Utah, making a false police report is considered a criminal offense under Utah Code Section 76-8-506. This statute specifies that it is illegal for a person to make a false statement regarding the commission of a crime, knowing that the statement is false and with the intent to mislead a peace officer, a member of a law enforcement agency, or any other person involved in the investigation of the crime or the administration of justice. The offense can be charged as a class B misdemeanor, which may result in penalties such as up to six months in jail, fines, and possible probation. However, if the false report is regarding a felony, the charge can be elevated to a class A misdemeanor, which carries harsher penalties, including up to one year in jail. The specific consequences for making a false police report in Utah will depend on the circumstances of the case and the discretion of the court.