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 South Carolina, making a false police report is considered a criminal offense under South Carolina Code of Laws Section 16-17-725. It is unlawful for a person to knowingly make a false report or complaint to law enforcement officials about the alleged commission of a crime, knowing the report to be false. This includes providing false information during an investigation. The offense is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor, and if convicted, the person may face penalties including fines, imprisonment, or both. The severity of the punishment can 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 future.