Following Sunday’s swatting incident in Marine City, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding residents of the seriousness of making false calls to 911 or false threats. Swatting is defined as a prank call made to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch law enforcement to a particular location.
“Swatting is not harmless,” said Attorney General Nessel. “It is a serious crime that can lead to dangerous situations and divert law enforcement away from someone facing an actual emergency. What callers may believe to be a ‘joke’ actually risks the public safety of our communities and can carry lifelong consequences for those responsible.”
Potential charges one could face if they make a threat of violence include:
• Communicating a threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony.
• Calling in a bomb threat, a 4-year felony.
• Malicious use of a telecommunications device, a 6-month misdemeanor.
Swatting could result in the following charges:
• False report of a crime, a 93-day misdemeanor.
• False report resulting in physical injury, a 5-year felony.
• False report resulting in a serious bodily impairment, a 10-year felony.
• False report resulting in a death, a 15-year felony.
In addition to serving time in jail or prison, those who are found guilty of these crimes can face fines of up to $20,000.00. Residents who receive or know of a threat of
violence against their community should contact their local law enforcement.
“Swatting is not harmless,” said Attorney General Nessel. “It is a serious crime that can lead to dangerous situations and divert law enforcement away from someone facing an actual emergency. What callers may believe to be a ‘joke’ actually risks the public safety of our communities and can carry lifelong consequences for those responsible.”
Potential charges one could face if they make a threat of violence include:
• Communicating a threat of terrorism, a 20-year felony.
• Calling in a bomb threat, a 4-year felony.
• Malicious use of a telecommunications device, a 6-month misdemeanor.
Swatting could result in the following charges:
• False report of a crime, a 93-day misdemeanor.
• False report resulting in physical injury, a 5-year felony.
• False report resulting in a serious bodily impairment, a 10-year felony.
• False report resulting in a death, a 15-year felony.
In addition to serving time in jail or prison, those who are found guilty of these crimes can face fines of up to $20,000.00. Residents who receive or know of a threat of
violence against their community should contact their local law enforcement.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
