Is it perjury when you lie to the police?

Answer 1

Yes, lying to the Police can be illegal depending on the circumstances. If an officer is investigating a crime and asks you a question in the course of his investigation, then you do have the right to state that you want to speak to a lawyer.

But if you outright lie in an attempt to hinder or prevent the investigation, you may be arrested for obstruction of justice. Lying to a police officer is generally a misdemeanor crime.

Another user said:

Absolutely not! No, lying to police is not illegal. In fact, if a law enforcement officer asks you any questions, you should state that you won't say anything without your attorney no matter what. A police officer will often try to trick you into talking to them. Whether it be by seemingly easy conversation (good cop, bad cop tactics - one will be mean, but the other one will come in all nice so that you trust him or her and want to talk to him or her), by threatening you that not talking to them is illegal (which is absolutely not true), or by telling you that another person has incriminated you, whether it's true or not because there is no law against a cop lying to you to get what they want. In any event, if you ever feel the least bit apprehensive about talking to a police officer, it is always your CONSTITUTIONAL right to say that you won't speak to them further without an attorney present. You may get arrested. And they'll probably tell you all sorts of mess, like they can't help you anymore, and they've been on your side the whole time. Just remember, they're lying. Being arrested is an inconvenience and it's scary. But that's all. It'll be over soon. Under the law, police can not further question you if you've stated that you want a lawyer. You are always well within your rights to request an attorney and you should. The same goes for a cop's request to search your car. If you're pulled over and a cop asks to take a look through your car, it means he or she has no probable cause (PC) and no warrant, which means that he or she HAS TO HAVE YOUR PERMISSION to search the car under the law. If there is no PC and no warrant, the cop has no right to search the car without your permission. You should always say no.

Answer 2

Yes. Depending on the jurisdiction and the judge, a person could be facing up to a year in jail for falsifying a police report. Also could be heavily fined.

Added: Also if your false statement materially altered, hindered, or obstructed a criminal investigation you could be charged with Obstruction Of Justice."

Answer 3

Not unless the information in the basic report is testified to under oath at a criminal proceeding. The reporting officer(s) attempt to put down all information known to them at the time the report was taken, however, police reports are NOT sworn documents. Initial police reports are nothing but the raw facts gathered at the time of the incident and can be changed, added to, or modified as the investigatory process proceeds and discloses further information.

Answer 4

yes, if you are the suspect you can plead the Fifth Amendment - if you are a someone who has material facts that can aid the investigation of a crime and you either withhold the information, or lie, you could be charged with Obstruction of Justice.

Answer 5

It is against the law for them to do so, and can be grounds for firing.

However police officers are human like anyone else, so they may succumb to the temptation to lie.

Answer 6

when you lie to the police it is just lying, it is perjury when you have sworn an oath in court to tell the truth, and you tell a lie, this is also a crime.

Answer 7

(in the US) Yes, it is - in ALL jurisdictions.

Answer 8

Yes , it is , and you may be subject to fines and/or arrest.