Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
Giving False Information to Peace Officer
I live in California. I gave false information to a peace officer. Penal code 148.9(b)
What is the penalty for giving false information to a peace officer?
Will the district attorney be involved in this matter or is this a situation where my attorney and I face the judge?
Will I have a criminal record because of this misdemeanor?
What are my options to prevent me having criminal record?
The ''peace officer'' in Temescal Canyon Park saw my dogs walking around without a leash. Here's the really stupid part...I tried avoiding the citation he was going to issue so I gave a fake name. BIG MISTAKE! The peace officer ran the fake name thru CA DMV and came up with nothing. Of course he was upset by then and gave me another opportunity to give correct information which I did. He wrote the infraction and misdemeanor on the same citation(ticket).
I have no prior offenses. Not even a traffic ticket. I am a responsible person with AAA credit rating. I have worked for the same company 6 years. I did something VERY stupid that highly regret and am very ashamed to speak to anyone on this matter.
Someone please respond...I beginning to feel frightned and desperately need some direction.
Thank you
3 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Giving False Information to Peace Officer
The City Attorney prosecutes misdemeanors. I provide defense for these cases. Call me directly at (619) 222-3504.
Re: Giving False Information to Peace Officer
Defendants and their counsel never just see the judge; there will always be a prosecutor (or, in traffic cases and similar matters, the citing officer). Many misdemeanor cases are handled by the city attorney rather than the D.A., but the distinction doesn't matter much to the defendant.
Get a criminal lawyer. He or she may be able to get the charge reduced to an infraction or find some other way to minimize its impact on your record. There's a good chance you won't end up with a misdemeanor.
Re: Giving False Information to Peace Officer
OK. Take a couple of deep breaths and relax. The range of penalties is very wide, starting with a slap on the wrist, but ranging to more serious consequences. What will happen to you depends on many things, including how your case is handled by your lawyer. The first thing you should think about is hiring a criminal lawyer. There are many ways to work out an acceptable disposition of your charges, but it is all very fact-driven. The police report which contains the "facts" will be available to your lawyer at your first appearance (the arraignment), and the strategies and tactics that can help you will be developed from there by your lawyer. However, every lawyer will see things a little differently, and there are no absolutely right ways to defend any particular case. Style matters. Knowing the system matters. Sometimes knowing the prosecutors and judges matters. Most criminal lawyers give free consultations. I recommend that you have 1 or 2, in order to get a couple of different perspectives. If you'd like to have a free consultation with me, don't hesitate to call. Your case will be heard in the LAX court, and I work there all the time. Good luck. Steve Mandell 310 393 0639
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