Legal Question in Criminal Law in Arizona

Untruthful statements to the police can be charged as a misdemeanor if a person knows the statement is false or is a misrepresentation of a fact if it is intended to interfere with the orderly operation of the police department, or to mislead a police officer.

A related but more serious offense is the hindering prosecution. This is done by intending to hinder the apprehesion, prosecution, conviction or punishment by knowingly obstruct or deceive, by false statement, the police in such an apprehension.

Whether you are charged with either crime depends on the strength of the case and what was the content of the statement. Police officers can charge the misdemeanor by writing a complaint but a felony charge must be reviewed by the prosecutor who then determines whether to charge the offense.