Montgomery, AL – In a move aimed at deterring false crime reporting and its detrimental consequences, the Alabama Senate has approved House Bill 82, drawing praise from Attorney General Steve Marshall. The bill, if signed into law, will significantly enhance penalties for those found guilty of falsely reporting crimes to law enforcement.
Presently, falsely reporting a crime in Alabama constitutes a Class A misdemeanor. However, under the provisions of HB 82, individuals who make false reports that pose imminent danger to individuals or the public will face sterner consequences, with the offense elevated to a Class C felony. Additionally, the legislation broadens the scope for seeking restitution, enabling the state to recover costs incurred by local, state, and federal authorities during the investigation of false reports.
Attorney General Marshall underscored the necessity of such measures by highlighting a recent incident where Alabama law enforcement and local communities were thrust into turmoil due to a fabricated kidnapping report. Marshall recounted the significant toll this hoax exacted, both financially, costing taxpayers millions of dollars, and operationally, diverting critical resources from genuine law enforcement needs.
“The goal of this legislation is to create a deterrent for those who blatantly lie in reporting a crime, so that those who do, experience the full force of the law,” Marshall emphasized. He commended the collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the Legislature in addressing this issue and expressed hope for a renewed focus on supporting crime victims.
House Bill 82, championed by Representative Mike Shaw (R-Jefferson), sailed through the House of Representatives unanimously in February. Its seamless passage through the Senate, led by Senator April Weaver (R-Brierfield), further underscores bipartisan support for combating false crime reporting. The bill now awaits the Governor’s signature to become law, signaling a significant step toward safeguarding Alabama communities from the disruptive impacts of baseless crime allegations.
