HB175 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Proncey Robertson

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Crimes and offenses, law enforcement officers, crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer, created

Summary

HB 175 would make it a crime to knowingly provide a false statement to a law enforcement officer during the investigation of a Class A or B felony, punishable as a Class C felony.

What This Bill Does

Creates the crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer during the course of a criminal investigation into a Class A or B felony. The crime covers falsifying, concealing, or presenting false information or documents to an officer, and is a Class C felony; false denial of guilt is not covered. Police must warn individuals before interviewing them that knowingly false statements can be prosecuted. The bill is not subject to local-funds expenditure rules under Amendment 621 because it creates a new crime, and it becomes effective on the first day of the third month after passage.

Who It Affects

• People being investigated for a Class A or B felony who knowingly provide false information or present false documents to a law enforcement officer.
• Law enforcement officers conducting these investigations, who must issue a warning about criminal penalties for false statements and apply the new crime when applicable.

Key Provisions

• Creates the crime of making a false statement to a law enforcement officer during the course of a criminal investigation into a Class A or B felony.
• Defines prohibited conduct as (a) falsifying or concealing a material fact, (b) making a materially false or fraudulent statement, or (c) presenting a false writing or document to an officer.
• Classifies the offense as a Class C felony.
• Excludes false denial of guilt in response to questions from the coverage of this new crime.
• Requires law enforcement officers to provide a warning before interviewing a person or requesting a written statement, stating that false statements are subject to criminal prosecution.
• Effective date: the first day of the third month following passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crimes and Offenses