Bills signed to strengthen criminal investigations

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley last Friday 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. Calley also signed H.B. 5011, sponsored by state Rep. Mark Ouimet. It promotes efficiency by allowing local governments to contract with a private organization to run their building operations as well as all building functions. A previous attorney general's opinion restricted the building functions that could be performed solely by a private entity. The bill now is Public Act 103. Article V, Section 26 of the Michigan Constitution gives authority to the lieutenant governor when the governor is outside the state. Visit www.legislature.mi.gov for more information on the bills. Published: Tue, Apr 24, 2012

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