MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2003 Regular Session
To: Judiciary B
By: Representative Robinson (84th)
AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-35-47, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE PENALTIES FOR FALSE REPORTING OF A CRIME; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. Section 97-35-47, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:
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 a fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000,000.00), 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, 2003.