Q: Is it illegal for a person to lie to police, in an attempt to have someone punished for crimes they didn’t commit?
It just seems like certain demographics of people are used to complaining and using the police to manipulate and get things they want. For example, someone accuses hotel staff for stealing there jewelry, in an attempt comp a free room or reimbursement. They then claim they saw a hotel maid wearing an Apple Watch that was one of the pieces of jewelry stolen. Now the maid gets has to deal with it. The person is attempting to commit fraud aren’t they? But they’re never charged with anything or questioned. They just get to keep on doing the same type of thing over and over, wasting police and hotel labor hours. But never getting in trouble. If you bring up charging the person, police and coworkers advise against it or simply don’t do anything about it. So we’re just supposed to let these people keep getting away with it? Why is the justice system so adamant about coming after easy prey. While letting the people who are causing way more issues get away with it? Is it because it’s hassle?
A: The short answer is yes. Lying to the police is illegal and you can get charged with obstruction of justice. Lying to hotel staff is not lying to law enforcement (police).
1 user found this answer helpful
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
