Really? Where is it a crime to lie to the police? And what is the crime? Certainly not the case in California, but perhaps in other states. Would be curious to learn where this obtains.
“Really? Where is it a crime to lie to the police? And what is the crime? Certainly not the case in California...”
Uhh, are you certain of your certainty? Because California state penal code, as well as federal law, disagree with you.
In California, depending on the circumstances, lying to a police officer might get you charged under section 148(a)(1) of the penal code for obstructing, or section 32 of the penal code as an accessory if you’re not the principal, or under section 118 if you’ve actually certified your false statements in an affidavit or deposition, and I seem to recall some part of the vehicle code covering false statements relating to traffic infractions but there’s no way in hell I’m wading through that pile of dreck for a simple post.
From statements I’ve heard from California residents, it would appear that violations of 148(a)(1) are very commonly tacked on to arrests. Given the generality of the wording that’s not surprising, as it encompasses a lot of behavior. Consider it akin to being asked if you want fries with that.
As a general rule it’s a safe bet that whatever state you visit or reside in there’s some criminal code that relates to obstruction in general, or false statements in particular, that criminalizes lying to police officers.
Further, making false statements to federal agents of some stripe is enough to get even Martha Stewart thrown in the clink.
it’s a crime to file a false police report
If you are under oath it is a crime to lie
some, including me, would argue there is a First Amendment right to lie (when not under oath)
but don’t expect the police to believe one single word you utter even if you have called them for “help”
Lying to the cops is considered obstructing justice. Lying to the Feds is a felony. Don’t talk to them, don’t tell them what you think. Let your lawyer tell them what you know. If you don’t know anything at all about the issue, then fine, say so.