Senate Bill 2263

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 97-9-79, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REVISE THE ELEMENTS OF PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION TO A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AND TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES THEREFOR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 97-9-79, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

97-9-79. (1) (a) Any person who shall make or cause to be made any false statement or representation as to his or another person's identity, social security account number or other identifying information or who shall make or cause to be made any other materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation to a law enforcement officer in the course of the officer's duties with the intent to mislead the officer; or

(b) Who, in the course of an investigation, falsifies, conceals or covers up by any trick, scheme or device a material fact or who makes or uses any false writing or document knowing the same to contain any materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or entry, shall be guilty of a felony.

(2) * * * Upon conviction under this section, the person shall be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) or imprisoned for a term not to exceed five (5) years, or both.

(3) This section does not apply to a party to a judicial proceeding, or the party's counsel, for statements, representations, writings or documents submitted by the party or counsel to a judge in that proceeding.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.