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 New Jersey, making a false police report is considered a serious offense. Under New Jersey law, specifically N.J.S.A. 2C:28-4, it is a criminal act to provide a false statement to law enforcement with the purpose to implicate another in a crime, or to create a false impression during an investigation. This statute covers making false reports to police officers, federal special investigators, and other authorized law enforcement personnel. The severity of the charge can range from a disorderly persons offense to a more serious indictable offense, depending on factors such as the intent behind the false report and the consequences that arise from it. Penalties for making a false police report in New Jersey can include fines, imprisonment, and probation. The exact punishment would be determined based on the specifics of the case and the discretion of the court.