Calley signs bills to guarantee factual information in criminal investigations

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley has signed bills making it a crime to deliberately lie or conceal facts from a state or local police officer. Federal law prohibits lying to federal agents, but Michigan had no law protecting local or state investigations. Whether written or verbal, deceptions waste police time and resources and allow criminals to remain on the streets. House Bills 5050 and 5051 make it a crime to conceal material facts or provide misleading statements in a criminal investigation. The bill would not apply to alleged victims of crime or prevent anyone from declining to speak with a police officer. The severity of the penalty for concealing or lying about information would directly relate to the severity of the crime being investigated. "Public safety is a key priority in Michigan, and police officers need to be guaranteed factual information in criminal investigations," Calley said. "Ensuring the truth of statements in criminal investigations is simply a common-sense step to providing the best criminal justice system possible." The bills, sponsored by state Rep. John Walsh, now are Public Acts 104 and 105. Published: Mon, Apr 30, 2012