# What If I File a False Police Report? | Attorney Brian White **Table of Contents***[*Expand*]* 1. What is Filing a False Police Report, and When Does It Most Often Happen? 2. Falsifying a Police Report and Texas Law 3. How to Talk to Police After an Accident 4. Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help If you believe that someone else is legally responsible for your injuries, it’s natural to want to hold them accountable. On the other hand, there are right and wrong ways of doing this. Filing a false police report can not only harm the viability of your personal injury claim, but it can also leave you vulnerable to criminal prosecution. Here’s everything you need to know about filing a false police report and the associated consequences according to [Texas](https://www.texas.gov/) law. ## What is Filing a False Police Report, and When Does It Most Often Happen? You might file a false police report if you include misleading or erroneous information in the process of telling local authorities about an accident or other occurrences, whether real or nonexistent. Some people file police reports by making up stories about untrue events or embellishing a story based on a true occurrence. In fact, two main types of falsification exist: An intentional falsification occurs when you provide a responding officer with inaccurate details regarding an incident. It might only involve details or include making up an incident itself. Examples include: - Overstating the amount stolen in a robbery - Falsifying information for an insurance claim - Creating allegations of domestic violence for the purpose of attaining sole custody of a child - Stating that someone was texting and driving at the time of the accident when you did not see it yourself. Unintentional falsifications, on the other hand, occur when someone provides erroneous information to a responding officer by accident. For example, a witness to a car accident may genuinely misrepresent a person’s speed at the time of the accident. You, as a victim of a car accident, may also misrepresent facts under the stress of the moment. Unintentional fabrications like these are generally honest mistakes and are not subject to prosecution. On the other hand, the police take matters of intentional falsification very seriously. For a legal consultation call [(713) 500-5000](tel:+17135005000) ## Falsifying a Police Report and Texas Law Under Texas law, you may be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor for falsifying a police report. According to Texas statutes: - A person commits the offense when he or she knowingly provides false information in a police statement that is important to a criminal or civil investigation. - The person receiving the statement was a police officer or other officer of the peace, authorized to conduct the investigation. - The person committing the offense knew that it was an official police investigation. Falsifying a police report is a violation of [Section 37.08 of Texas law](https://codes.findlaw.com/tx/penal-code/penal-sect-37-08.html), subject to criminal penalties. If convicted, an offender could face up to 180 days in jail and fines up to $2,000. ## How to Talk to Police After an Accident The moments following an accident can be chaotic. If you believe someone else may have been responsible, it can be easy for your emotions to get in the way of telling the truth. On the other hand, it’s essential to stay calm when talking to a police officer. Even a small embellishment could affect your right to compensation, should you decide to pursue a civil claim. We recommend taking the following actions before providing the police with a statement: - Take a moment to compose yourself, if you need it. - Stick to the facts of the case – what happened, and anything you noticed at the scene. It’s fine to point out if the other driver was texting or speeding, but only relay the information if you’re sure. - See if eyewitnesses can corroborate your story. This adds credence to your statement and helps ensure you’re recalling the events of an accident accurately. Filing a false police report can result in criminal penalties under Texas law. Be very careful in the information you provide to a responding officer. Speak to a Houston injury attorney to learn more. [Click to contact](/contact-us/) us today ## Contact the Houston Car Accident Lawyers at Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers For Help Our offices Houston — Greenway/Upper Kirby 3120 Southwest Freeway, Suite 350 Houston, TX 77098 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 364-1466](tel:+17133641466) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%203120%20Southwest%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20350%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098) Houston — East Freeway 11811 East Freeway, Suite 630-06 Houston, TX 77029 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 609-1893](tel:+17136091893) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011811%20East%20Freeway%2C%20Suite%20630-06%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077029) Houston — South Loop 2600 South Loop West, Suite 293 Houston, TX 77054 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 281-4904](tel:+17132814904) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%202600%20South%20Loop%20West%2C%20Suite%20293%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077054) Houston — Katy Freeway 11511 Katy Fwy, Suite 515 Houston, TX 77079 Open 24 hours daily Call [(713) 909-7537](tel:+17139097537) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%2011511%20Katy%20Fwy%2C%20Suite%20515%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077079) Houston — Clear Lake 1300 Bay Area Blvd, Suite B268 Houston, TX 77058 By appointment only Call [(936) 508-2854](tel:+19365082854) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201300%20Bay%20Area%20Blvd%2C%20Suite%20B268%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077058) The Woodlands 1776 Woodstead Ct, Ste. 203 The Woodlands, TX 77380 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%201776%20Woodstead%20Ct%2C%20Ste.%20203%2C%20The%20Woodlands%2C%20TX%2077380) Champion Forest (Cypress) 4606 FM 1960 Rd W, Ste. 444 Houston, TX 77069 By appointment only Call [(281) 843-9777](tel:+12818439777) [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=Attorney%20Brian%20White%20Personal%20Injury%20Lawyers%2C%204606%20FM%201960%20Rd%20W%2C%20Ste.%20444%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077069) --- ### About the Author Brian White ![About the Author Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/brian-white-houston-personal-injury-lawyer-300x300.jpg) [Brian White](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/our-attorneys/brian-white/) earned his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston and is licensed to practice in Texas. He is a [Board-Certified](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/resources/brian-white-is-board-certified-in-personal-injury-trial-law/) Personal Injury Trial Lawyer. Dedicated to giving back, he actively supports local charities and [community initiatives](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/community-involvement/). [Client testimonials](https://attorneybrianwhite.com/about/testimonials/) highlight Brian’s compassion, open communication, and dedication to achieving the best outcomes for those he represents. 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