[19kofcagnra70]

Why the hub-bub? Fill it out incorrectly.

[Lucky Dog]

Why the hub-bub? Fill it out incorrectly.

Unfortunately, beyond issues of personal ethics and morals, a legal problem arises from falsifying official government documents (a census form qualifies), to wit:

US Code- Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 47, Sec 1001

Sec. 1001. - Statements or entries generally

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, whoever, in any matter within the jurisdiction of the executive, legislative, or judicial branch of the Government of the United States, knowingly and willfully -

(1) Falsifies, conceals, or covers up by any trick, scheme, or device a material fact;

(2) Makes any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or representation; or

(3) Makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry;

Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both

Note: The reader must understand that this is United States code; there are different definitions and punishments for falsifying State documents.

The information required in a census is specified in the US Constitution:

US Constitution, Article I, Section 2. [excerpt] The actual Enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of ten years, in such manner as they shall by law direct…

Census questions that go beyond the purpose (enumeration for the purpose of allocating representation seats) specified in this portion of the Constitution can reasonably viewed as an unreasonable seizure of personal information.

Such is prohibited by the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution:

Amendment IV

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Answer your question?

[ctdonath2]

Refusing to answer is one thing. Will cost you $100, but you have a Constitutional basis to refute it.

Falsification is something very different. Will cost you $500, and you have no legal recourse.