MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Judiciary

By: Senator(s) Mettetal, Hamilton, Thames, Robertson, Moffatt, Dickerson, Posey, Jordan (24th), Stogner, Hawks, Minor, Carter, Tollison, Browning, Jordan (18th), Johnson (19th), Hall, Rayborn, Woodfield, White (5th), Burton

AN ACT TO CREATE SECTION 97-35-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO CRIMINALIZE THE FALSE REPORTING OF A CRIME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following section shall be codified as Section 97-35-47, Mississippi Code of 1972:

97-35-47. It shall be unlawful for any person to report a crime or any element of a crime to any law enforcement or any officer of any court, by any means, knowing that such report is false. A violation of this section shall be punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one (1) year or by fine not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or both, where the falsely reported crime would have been a misdemeanor. Where the falsely reported crime would have been a felony, a violation of this section shall be a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for not more than five (5) years, or by fine not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both. In addition to any fine and imprisonment, and upon proper showing made to the court, the defendant shall be ordered to pay as restitution to the law enforcement agency reimbursement for any reasonable costs directly related to the investigation of the falsely reported crime and the prosecution of any person convicted under this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.