Title: False Reports to Law Enforcement Officers

Summary: Increases criminal penalties for second or subsequent conviction of providing false information to law enforcement officer concerning alleged commission of crime.

Full Text:
An act relating to false reports to law enforcement officers; amending s. 837.05, F.S.; increasing criminal penalties for a second or subsequent conviction of providing false information to a law enforcement officer concerning the alleged commission of a crime; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 837.05, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 837.05 False reports to law enforcement authorities.-(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who whoever knowingly gives false information to a any law enforcement officer concerning the alleged comm ission of any crime, commits:(a) For a first offense resulting in conviction, a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (b) For a second or subsequent offense resulting in conviction, a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. (2) A person who whoever knowingly gives false information to a law enforcement officer concerning the alleged commission of a capital felo ny, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2012.