4.422 — PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION TO A GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL
Violations of "Statute 4.422" results in a Class B Misdemeanor
(a) Definitions
False information to a government official refers to knowingly providing false, misleading, or deceptive information to a government official in the course of their duties. This includes lying or deliberately misrepresenting facts to influence or obstruct the actions of a government official or law enforcement officer.
(b) Elements
To establish the offense of providing false information to a government official, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt the following elements:
The defendant knowingly provided false or misleading information to a government official.
The information was provided in the course of an official investigation, inquiry, or legal proceeding.
The defendant knew or should have known that the information was false at the time it was provided.
(c) Defenses
Defenses against a charge of providing false information to a government official may include:
The defendant did not knowingly provide false information, and the misrepresentation was the result of a mistake or misunderstanding.
The defendant had no intent to deceive or obstruct the government official, and the information provided was believed to be truthful at the time.
The statement or information was protected by a legal privilege, such as the right to remain silent or the right against self-incrimination.
(d) Aggravating Factors
The court may consider the following aggravating factors when determining the severity of the offense:
The false information provided was material to an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding, significantly impacting its outcome.
The defendant knowingly provided false information with the intent to obstruct or delay the course of justice, such as providing false evidence in a criminal case.
The defendant has a history of providing false information to government officials, indicating a pattern of obstruction or deception.
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