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False Statement to Police Lawyer in Baltimore County, Maryland

Defense of Criminal Law § 9-501 Charges in Towson, Essex, and Catonsville

A false statement to a law enforcement officer is a misdemeanor under Maryland Criminal Law § 9-501. The maximum penalty if convicted is 6 months in jail, a $500 fine, or both. The charge is not perjury, and it is not the same as giving a wrong name at booking. It is a claim that a person made, or caused someone else to make, a statement, report, or complaint that the person knew was false as a whole or in a material part, to a police officer, with intent to deceive and to cause an investigation or other action.

In Baltimore County these cases are set in District Court in Towson, Essex, or Catonsville. Because the maximum is more than 90 days, the defendant can pray a jury trial. That prayer moves the case to the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, which sits only in Towson. The charging document, not the location of the stop, controls the first courthouse.

At Shepard Law in Towson, principal attorney Stephen P. Shepard provides client-centered and compassionate criminal defense representation to individuals facing false-statement charges throughout Baltimore County, Maryland. With more than a decade of dedicated service defending clients in Towson, Essex, Catonsville, and surrounding communities, our law firm focuses on understanding your unique circumstances and protecting your future with thoughtful, personalized advocacy.

Take the Next Step – Contact Shepard Law Today

Call Shepard Law at (410) 648-4008 or complete our secure online contact form for a free, confidential consultation. We also offer jail visits for a fee when needed. Attorney Stephen P. Shepard is prepared to listen carefully to your story, explain your rights, and provide the client-centered and compassionate representation you deserve.

What the State Has to Prove

Section 9-501 is narrower than “the person did not tell the officer the truth.” The State has to prove each of these elements:

  • A statement, report, or complaint, made by the person or caused by the person.
  • The listener was a law enforcement officer of the State, a county, a municipal corporation, another political subdivision, or the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Police.
  • The person knew the statement was false as a whole or in a material part. A mistake, a bad memory, or an incomplete answer is not knowledge.
  • The person intended to deceive the officer.
  • The person intended to cause an investigation or other action as a result.

A statement that is wrong in a detail that does not matter, or a refusal to answer, is not this charge. The officer does not have to have opened a file for the charge to be filed. The intent to cause action is the element, not a completed investigation.

Where the Case Is Heard

The case starts in District Court in Towson, Essex, or Catonsville. A jury-trial prayer sends it to the Circuit Court in Towson. Filing or appearing in the wrong courthouse delays the date. The statement of charges and probable cause shows which District Court location was assigned.

Why Choose Shepard Law for a False Statement Charge in Baltimore County

Stephen P. Shepard is a respected Baltimore County criminal defense attorney recognized by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star,” Avvo with a 10.0 “Superb” rating, Martindale-Hubbell as a “Client Champion Platinum,” and The National Trial Lawyers as a “Top 40 Under 40.” He is an active member of the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys Association and regularly appears in Baltimore County courts.

Our Towson office, located at 303 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD 21204, serves clients across Baltimore County. At Shepard Law, you receive client-centered and compassionate representation focused on your individual needs and long-term well-being.

If you are searching for a false statement lawyer in Towson, Maryland, you need counsel who already works these dockets in Towson, Essex, and Catonsville—and in the Circuit Court in Towson when a jury trial is prayed—and who will treat knowledge and intent as facts the State has to prove.

Take the Next Step – Contact a False Statement Lawyer in Towson Today

Call Shepard Law at (410) 648-4008 or complete our secure online contact form for a free, confidential consultation. We also offer jail visits for a fee when needed. Related public-order charges are covered on our crimes against the public, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest pages. Attorney Stephen P. Shepard is prepared to listen carefully to your story and provide the client-centered and compassionate representation you deserve on a false-statement charge anywhere in Baltimore County.

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