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In Michigan, Obstruction of Justice / False Statements to a Police Officer is governed by the following statewide statute:

750.411a False report of crime; violation; penalty; payment of costs by juvenile.

Sec. 411a.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person who intentionally makes a false report of the commission of a crime, or intentionally causes a false report of the commission of a crime to be made, to a peace officer, police agency of this state or of a local unit of government, 9-1-1 operator, or any other governmental employee or contractor or employee of a contractor who is authorized to receive reports of a crime, knowing the report is false, is guilty of a crime as follows:

1. If the report is a false report of a misdemeanor, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00, or both.

2. If the report is a false report of a felony, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

(2) A person shall not do either of the following:

1. Knowingly make a false report of a violation or attempted violation of chapter XXXIII or section 327, 328, 397a, or 436 and communicate or cause the communication of the false report to any other person, knowing the report to be false.

2. Threaten to violate chapter XXXIII or section 327, 328, 397a, or 436 and communicate or cause the communication of the threat to any other person.

(3) A person who violates subsection (2) is guilty of a felony punishable as follows:

1. For a first conviction under subsection (2), by imprisonment for not more than 4 years or a fine of not more than $2,000.00, or both.

2. For a second or subsequent conviction under subsection (2), imprisonment for not more than 10 years or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both.

(4) The court may order a person convicted under subsection (2) to pay to the state or a local unit of government the costs of responding to the false report or threat including, but not limited to, use of police or fire emergency response vehicles and teams, pursuant to section 1f of chapter IX of the code of criminal procedure, 1927 PA 175, MCL 769.1f, unless otherwise expressly provided for in this section.

(5) If the person ordered to pay costs under subsection (4) is a juvenile under the jurisdiction of the family division of the circuit court under chapter 10 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.1001 to 600.1043, all of the following apply:

1. If the court determines that the juvenile is or will be unable to pay all of the costs ordered, after notice to the juvenile’s parent or parents and an opportunity for the parent or parents to be heard, the court may order the parent or parents having supervisory responsibility for the juvenile, at the time of the acts upon which the order is based, to pay any portion of the costs ordered that is outstanding. An order under this subsection does not relieve the juvenile of his or her obligation to pay the costs as ordered, but the amount owed by the juvenile shall be offset by any amount paid by his or her parent. As used in this subsection, “parent” does not include a foster parent.

2. If the court orders a parent to pay costs under subdivision (a), the court shall take into account the financial resources of the parent and the burden that the payment of the costs will impose, with due regard to any other moral or legal financial obligations that the parent may have. If a parent is required to pay the costs under subdivision (a), the court shall provide for payment to be made in specified installments and within a specified period of time.

3. A parent who has been ordered to pay the costs under subdivision (a) may petition the court for a modification of the amount of the costs owed by the parent or for a cancellation of any unpaid portion of the parent’s obligation. The court shall cancel all or part of the parent’s obligation due if the court determines that payment of the amount due will impose a manifest hardship on the parent.

(6) As used in this section:

(a) “Local unit of government” means:

1. 1. (i) A city, village, township, or county.
   2. (ii) A local or intermediate school district.
   3. (iii) A public school academy.
   4. (iv) A community college.

(b) “State” includes, but is not limited to, a state institution of higher education.

This means if falsely report a misdemeanor, then you are guilty of misdemeanor obstruction. If you falsely report a felony, then you are guilty of a felony. As with all crimes, these can stay on your record forever. A crime of “lying to authority” would look very bad to employers or potential employers so it is important to get it taken care of right away. An experienced attorney can represent you on this matter and through negotiation with the prosecutor or city attorney, may be able to get these charges dismissed, reduced, or modified. Obstruction of Justice / False Statements to a Police Officer Michigan: To retain Garmo & Kiste, PLC, for assistance in these matters call us at (248) 398-7100 for a free consultation or contact us with a private message. We are experienced Michigan attorneys with offices in Troy, MI.