False impersonation crimes involve the impersonation of just about anyone, though it is often used as a way to refer to a charge of someone impersonating a police officer or other person of authority. When someone is accused of false impersonation crimes, they can face either misdemeanor or felony charges, based on who they impersonated or what the goal of the impersonation was.

Basic Impersonation Charges

According to Oklahoma statutes, false impersonation crimes make it illegal to impersonate any official. This could include a police officer, a firefighter, emergency medical personnel, or other officials. In most cases, it takes more than someone just saying they are an official before they are arrested and charged with impersonation. Most of the time, it requires them stating it in an attempt to gain something that they would not otherwise be able to receive. Someone who is arrested and charged with impersonating an official faces a misdemeanor that could include up to $2,000 in fines as well as up to six months imprisonment.

Rogers County Impersonation of an Officer

Impersonation of a police officer or other law enforcement can be a felony if it’s done with the intent to create a sham legal process. A sham legal process includes actions like claiming to be an officer to issue a fake summons or a fake arrest warrant, to try to search someone else’s property, or to issue a lien on someone else’s property. These charges can lead to a fine of up to $5,000 and up to two years in prison or a deferred sentence

If someone is accused of claiming to be a police officer or other law enforcement, they can receive a misdemeanor charge and face up to a year in jail as well as a fine of up to $100. This does not, however, include those who make a citizen’s arrest to stop a crime committed in their presence. If someone is accused of using any lights or other items on their vehicle with the intention of making other drivers yield the right-of-way or pull over, they may face a misdemeanor charge as well. This can lead to a fine of up to $1,000 and up to a year in jail.

Impersonation to Obtain Money or Property

Another felony impersonation charge is when someone pretends to be someone else with the intention of intercepting money or property. For instance, this can apply when the accused impersonates someone who is expected to receive an inheritance in order to gain the inheritance so the person who should receive it cannot. Those who are charged with this type of false impersonation may face up to 10 years in prison.

Other Types of Felony Impersonation

There are other types of felony false impersonation as well, such as impersonating someone to become married or signing someone else’s name on a written document. It can also include anything where the person being impersonated could face a lawsuit or criminal charges. These types of false impersonation can lead to 10 years in jail.

False impersonation is a serious crime. Depending on the exact charges faced, it could be a misdemeanor or a felony. If you’re facing charges of false impersonation, speak with a Rogers County criminal defense lawyer at Kania Law Office today 918-379-4872