Every year, many prank 911 calls are made to emergency dispatch centers. However, making such phone calls could potentially land you in legal trouble, especially if they tie up dispatchers and prevent real emergency calls from getting through.
It’s important to understand that prank 911 calls are treated as serious offenses by law enforcement. The police have tools for identifying caller locations and may investigate further if they believe you’re abusing the 911 system.
An Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from Simmrin Law Group can work to get your charges dismissed, but if you are convicted, you can go to jail for making a prank 911 call, especially if you mislead the police about the nature of the false call.
Consequences You Face for Making a Prank 911 Call
Prank 911 calls can cause panic or prevent law enforcement from responding to an actual crisis. Therefore, one prank call can lead to hefty fines and jail sentences. Calling 911 for any reason other than reporting an actual emergency is not allowed.
In California, Penal Code (PC) §148.3 lists the specific penalties for making a prank 911 call. The penal code makes it illegal for California residents to report or cause someone else to report an emergency that is knowingly fake to a government agency.
Misdemeanor prank 911 calls can result in $1,000 in fines and up to one year in county jail. However, if you make a fake 911 call that causes severe bodily injury or wrongful death, your misdemeanor can increase to a felony with up to $10,000 in fines and three years in county jail.
Other Penalties After a Prank 911 Call Conviction
When you are convicted of a criminal offense, it is not only your criminal sentence and penalties that you need to be concerned with. A guilty verdict will influence virtually every aspect of your life for years to come.
When you apply for a new job, seek housing approval, or seek to further your career, you may be required to pass a background check. If a conviction for a criminal offense is returned, you may be passed over for these opportunities and find yourself stuck in a vicious cycle where you can’t move ahead in life.
Your personal and professional reputations could also be in jeopardy. If you are in the middle of a child custody battle, your visitation and custody rights could be in jeopardy. A conviction could also result in loss of firearm rights, disqualification from federal student aid, and other collateral penalties.
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Prank Calls vs. Swatting
Swatting is a more malicious type of prank 911 call. This type of prank call is intended to bring large numbers of armed police to the scene and create an emergency response. For instance, they may claim there is a bomb threat or an active shooter.
Sometimes this is done because the caller finds it amusing, but sometimes, it’s done because they want to harass an individual. These kinds of calls have become so common that the FBI tracks swatting incidents.
California statutes make it illegal to make a knowingly false report to peace officers, prosecutors, or local employees responsible for accepting reports from citizens (such as 911 operators). There is also a statute specifically meant to punish swatters.
What if I Accidentally Called 911?
A common childhood prank call is to call a number and immediately hang up after the other end says hello, but you can also accidentally dial someone. People mistakenly dial 911 every day, but that doesn’t rise to the level of a crime.
If you accidentally dial 911, don’t panic and hang up – the 911 operator may believe that you are in danger and will likely try to reach back out to you. Instead, stay calm and explain to the operator that you accidentally dialed 911.
The responder will know not to send emergency personnel to your location and that you didn’t intend a prank. As long as you explain yourself and do not report a fake crime, then you should not face any criminal consequences.
Criminal Defenses for Prank 911 Call Charges
Some of the most common criminal defense strategies for 911 prank calls include:
- Mistaken identity: Denying that it was you who made the 911 call. A prosecutor will have to prove beyond reasonable doubt that you were the one who made the prank call to secure a conviction.
- Good faith: If your attorney can prove that you made the phone call under the belief that an actual emergency existed, then the court will have to drop your charges.
If you’re convicted of making a prank 911 call, the courts will consider your previous criminal history during sentencing. If your defense attorney at Simmrin Law Group can show that you are a law-abiding citizen with a sound reputation, you may receive reduced penalties.
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Let Our Legal Team Represent You and Defend Your Case
If you are worried about going to jail for making a 911 prank call or swatting someone, you need a trustworthy legal defender in California. Contact the Simmrin Law Group. Contact us now to get a free consultation about your situation.
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