CA Vehicle Code 31 VC
VC 31 – Giving False Information to Police Officer
Giving False Information to Police Officer – Table of Contents
What is ‘Giving False Information’ to a Police Officer?
It is a crime under California Vehicle Code 31 VC to provide giving false information to a police officer while he/she is performing her duties. You can be charged with the crime for providing a wrong last name, a borrowed or stolen driver’s license, fake registration, or by not answering questions truthfully.
California VC 31 is a misdemeanor and if convicted you can face:
- Fines up to $1,000
- Up to 6-months in county jail
California Vehicle Code 31, as the code insinuates only pertains to when you are stopped for a traffic violation. California Penal Code 148, Resisting Arrest, pertains to cases outside of the vehicle and if you are on the street.
Defending Giving False Information To Police Office California VC 31
The only valid legal defense for giving false information to a police officer is that you didn’t have the intention to mislead. In other words, you may have been nervous and accidentally provided wrong information to the officer but if it wasn’t intentional then you shouldn’t be punished.
Expunging the Crime
California VC 31 falls under the category of crimes that are eligible for expungement. Expungement is a way to have a criminal conviction discarded from your criminal record so you can legally say that you have not been convicted of a crime. The process can be confusing and time sensitive so it’s beneficial to hire an attorney to guide you through the process. For a full understanding of the process in its entirety read our Expungement article.
We Want to Help
If you or a loved one has been accused of VC 31, Lying to a Police Officer, we invite you to contact us immediately for a free case review. Schedule an appointment to meet with us in person, or feel free to submit an evaluation online and we will get in contact with you ASAP.
We can provide a free consultation in our office, or by phone. Our experienced and assiduous Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorneys will be sure to fight until the end to reduce or drop your charges completely.
Call Us for a FREE Case Review: 310-274-6529
How to Win Your Case
We cannot stress enough that you read, understand and follow these 10 basic rules if you are criminally charged or under investigation:
- Don’t ever talk to the police
- Do not discuss your case with anyone
- Everything you tell your lawyer is confidential
- Tell police you need to contact your attorney
- Never consent to any search by the police
- If the police knock on your door, don't answer!
- Realize the consequences of a criminal conviction
- Your lawyer (not you) will contact any witnesses
- Information on your cell phone is evidence
- Early Intervention is the key
