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 Maryland, making a false police report of a crime is a criminal offense under Maryland Criminal Law Code § 9-501. This statute makes it illegal to knowingly and willfully make a false statement or report of a crime to a law enforcement officer with the intent to deceive. The false statement must be material to a criminal investigation. The offense is considered a misdemeanor in Maryland. If convicted, the individual could face penalties including imprisonment for up to 6 months, a fine of up to $500, or both. The severity of the punishment may vary based on the circumstances of the case and the discretion of the court. It is important for individuals to understand that making a false report not only wastes law enforcement resources but also carries legal consequences that can impact one's criminal record and future.