The bill, called the (HB 919 False Witness Act ) For Florida

The bill, called the (HB 919 False Witness Act ) For Florida
Grant's bill shuts loophole in state law 03/22/06 Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, is championing a bill in the state Legislature that no one will likely oppose. The local lawmaker has stepped up to fight for changing in a state law that allows people to lie to state law officers without being punished. The problem is a serious loophole in the language of law that requires witnesses to tell the truth when questioned in sexual predator cases. The bill's language should have called for punishment for people who mislead or lie in an investigation involving sexual offenders. Perhaps the most disturbing example of why changing this law is so important surfaced during the investigation into the death of 12-year-old Jessica Lunsford. If you remember, the young Florida girl was kidnapped and murdered by a man staying in a small, mobile home just yards away from her house. The search for her went on for several days before her body was found. During the search and original investigation, sheriff's deputies and others questioned residents of that mobile home where she was held captive. They repeatedly told officials they had no knowledge of her. Later, evidence was uncovered that proved Jessica was in that mobile home, alive, for several days before being murdered and buried a short distance away. Three times, local law officers visited that home and were turned away -- told no one knew anything about her. The residents of that mobile home were never prosecuted for lying to law enforcement officers. That is because, while it is a crime to lie to federal officers about such crimes, the law in Florida does not make it a criminal act to lie to state or local officers investigating such crimes. Grant plans to change that. The bill, called the False Witness Act, is being supported by Attorney General Charlie Crist. It has gotten plenty of attention -- even landing Grant an appearance on the Bill O'Reilly show on Fox TV. For Grant, the bill is merely a common sense response to a mistake that was made. "We are not the only state that has this problem," he said. "Everyone just assumes if you lie during an investigation that it is a crime." But, he said, while the federal authorities have such a law, it fell through the cracks in Florida. Grant's bill would punish anyone giving false witness in a felony sexual offender investigation with up to a year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Grant's bill should sail through the Legislature. It is past time to close this loophole and hold everyone accountable when a person's life and health are endangered. http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive2/032206/op1.htm?date=032206&story=op1.htm Sun Herald© 2006

HB 919 CS - Law Enforcement Investigations
HB 919 CS - Law Enforcement Investigations A bill to be entitled An act relating to law enforcement investigations; creating s. 837.055, F.S.; prohibiting knowingly and willfully giving false information or reports to law enforcement officers in certain circumstances; providing penalties; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 837.055, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 837.055 False information to law enforcement during investigation.--Whoever knowingly and willfully gives false information or a false report to a law enforcement officer who is in the course of conducting a felony crime investigation or a missing person investigation where the false information or report may interfere with the investigation or may mislead a law enforcement officer during the course of the investigation commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. Section 2. This act shall take effect October 1, 2006. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* HB 919 CS - Law Enforcement Investigations GENERAL BILL by Grant (CO-SPONSORS) Dean; Hasner; Porth; RECOMMENDED by Criminal Justice Committee Law Enforcement Investigations: Prohibits knowingly and willfully giving false information to law enforcement officers under certain circumstances; provides penalties. Effective Date: October 1, 2006. Last Event: Now in Justice Council on Thursday, March 23, 2006 3:52 PM Bill Number: 0919 Bill Name: HB 919 CS Action: Favorable With Committee Substitute Committee: Criminal Justice Committee Location: 404 HOB Duration: 1.75 Date: 3/22/2006 10:15:00 AM Sponsor: Grant (CO-SPONSORS) Dean; Hasner; Porth; Subject: Law Enforcement Investigations Y Adams Y Hasner Y Kravitz Y Porth Y Rice Y Antone Y Holloway Y Llorente Total Yeas: 8 Total Nays: 0 Total Missed: 0 Total Votes: 8

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